[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 177 (Wednesday, December 2, 2009)]
[House]
[Pages H13394-H13395]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    CONGRATULATING THE SAILORS OF THE UNITED STATES SUBMARINE FORCE

  Mr. KISSELL. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 129) congratulating the Sailors 
of the United States Submarine Force upon the completion of 1,000 Ohio-
class ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) deterrent patrols.
  The Clerk read the title of the concurrent resolution.
  The text of the concurrent resolution is as follows:

                            H. Con. Res. 129

       Whereas the Sailors of the United States Submarine Force 
     recently completed the 1,000th deterrent patrol of the Ohio-
     class ballistic missile submarine (SSBN);
       Whereas this milestone is significant for the Submarine 
     Force, its crews and their families, the United States Navy, 
     and the entire country;
       Whereas this milestone was reached through the combined 
     efforts and impressive achievements of all of the submariners 
     who have participated in such patrols since the first patrol 
     of USS Ohio (SSBN 726) in 1982;
       Whereas, as a result of the dedication and commitment to 
     excellence of the Sailors of the United States Submarine 
     Force, ballistic missile submarines have always been ready 
     and vigilant, reassuring United States allies and deterring 
     anyone who might seek to do harm to the United States or 
     United States allies;
       Whereas the national maritime strategy of the United States 
     recognizes the critical need for strategic deterrence in 
     today's uncertain world;
       Whereas the true strength of the ballistic missile 
     submarine lies in the extremely talented and motivated 
     Sailors who have voluntarily chosen to serve in the submarine 
     community; and
       Whereas the inherent stealth, unparalleled firepower, and 
     nearly limitless endurance of the ballistic missile submarine 
     provide a credible deterrence for any enemies that would seek 
     to use force against the United States or United States 
     allies: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
     concurring), That Congress--
       (1) congratulates the Sailors of the United States 
     Submarine Force upon the completion of 1,000 Ohio-class 
     ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) deterrent patrols; and
       (2) honors and thanks the crews of ballistic missile 
     submarines and their devoted families for their continued 
     dedication and sacrifice.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
North Carolina (Mr. Kissell) and the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. 
Wittman) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from North Carolina.


                             General Leave

  Mr. KISSELL. Madam Speaker, I request unanimous consent for Members 
to be able to extend and revise their remarks during the next 5 days.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from North Carolina?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. KISSELL. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Madam Speaker, it is with great enthusiasm that I rise in support of 
House Concurrent Resolution 129, and I want to thank Representative 
Dicks from Washington for his work in bringing this resolution to the 
floor. It is an opportunity for us as a House of Representatives to 
congratulate the Navy and the sailors of our ballistic submarine fleet 
upon the completion of 1,000 missions, that's 1,000 missions of 
deterrence and protecting our Nation. This silent service, the Ohio-
class submarine, the highest of technology, the greatest of sailors, 
and the most stealthy of operations, has been in service protecting our 
Nation since the first cruise of the USS Ohio in 1982.
  This is not an easy service. Only 5 percent of all our sailors are 
qualified to serve in our ballistic submarine fleet. The highest of 
technologies and the advancements that we have seen as a Nation are 
represented in this classification of service also.
  Oftentimes, our sailors are on duty for 77 or more straight days and 
they come back then to work 35 days of maintenance. It puts a 
tremendous burden upon them. But, once again, these are the highest 
qualified of individuals that you can find, because when they are on 
their ship, they have to have the knowledge of the technology to the 
most minute of details to be able to service the ship as needed and to 
complete the mission. And they have an A-plus rating for these years of 
service during the 1,000 missions that they have brought to us.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. WITTMAN. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today to share my colleagues' congratulations 
to the sailors of the United States Navy's Submarine Force following 
the completion of the 1,000th Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine 
deterrent patrol. This is no small feat and has been made possible only 
through the combined efforts of our dedicated sailors, the talented 
civilians employed at the Trident Refit and Weapons Facilities, the 
disciplined workforce of the naval reactors, and the industrial base 
that has delivered such reliable submarines and Trident missile 
systems.
  The ballistic missile submarine, or SSBN, is the critical third leg 
of our nuclear triad, and in many ways this capability is the most 
stealthy, delivering unparalleled firepower and near limitless 
endurance that poses a significant deterrent to potential aggressors 
armed with nuclear weapons. Likewise, our allies have relied on the 
shield provided by our ballistic missile submarines, which can operate 
unmolested in virtually any part of the world.
  Yet this deterrent capability comes at a significant personal cost to 
the Submarine Force, its crews, and their families. Since the first 
patrol of the USS Ohio in 1982 through today, these families have 
endured long periods of noncommunication with their loved ones and 
tense waiting for their safe return.
  Therefore, despite the extraordinary technological achievement and 
reliability epitomized by the SSBN, the true strength of the ballistic 
submarine lies in the extraordinarily talented and motivated sailors 
who have voluntarily chosen to serve in the submarine community and are 
among the most highly skilled, educated, and trained war fighters in 
the U.S. military.
  Today we thank and honor the crews of the ballistic missile 
submarines, the civilian and industrial workforces that strive to 
preserve the submarines' reliability and technological superiority, and 
the devoted families of the Submarine Force for their continued 
dedication and sacrifice.
  Finally, I would like to thank all of my colleagues who cosponsored 
this resolution, especially Representative Dicks of Washington for 
drafting this resolution.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. KISSELL. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to 
the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Dicks).
  Mr. DICKS. Madam Speaker, I introduced this resolution, H. Con. Res. 
129, to recognize the achievements of the U.S. Submarine Force for the 
completion of the 1,000th Trident strategic deterrent patrol earlier 
this year. It is fitting that we take a moment to recall the sacrifices 
made by these submariners and their families to defend our freedoms and 
protect our way of life.

[[Page H13395]]

                              {time}  1045

  For over 27 years, Ohio-class ballistic missile means, or SSBNs, have 
been our most survivable form of deterrence. As a result of the 
commitment to excellence by everyone associated with the SSBN program, 
our strategic missile submarines have always been ready and vigilant, 
reassuring our allies and deterring those who might seek to do us harm. 
Our ballistic missile submarines provided essential deterrence during 
the Cold War, and their contributions will forever be a part of our 
Nation's history. Today, these elite submarines remain on the front 
lines of freedom. Through their silent patrols, they will preserve 
peace for many years to come.
  The success of the Trident program and the protection it continues to 
provide is a result of the sacrifices of a broad array of organizations 
and individuals: the submarine industrial base, which provides the 
advanced technologies and highest quality equipment for these ships; 
the maintenance facilities and their technicians and engineers who work 
to a demanding timeline and under difficult constraints to keep these 
boats ready for sea; the submarine training facilities which ensure 
that our sailors are trained and ready to perform their missions under 
any circumstances; and not least, the sailors and their families who 
dedicate their lives to supporting our Nation. Their sacrifice year 
after year is a large part of our Nation's greatness.
  Because I come from the Puget Sound region in the State of 
Washington, I have had the opportunity to watch the successes of the 
Trident submarine program from its inception. Back in 1972, the Navy 
decided that the Puget Sound would be the west coast home port for its 
newest class of strategic missile submarine, the Ohio-class submarines, 
the Ohio-class SSBN.
  In August 1982, the lead ship, USS Ohio, arrived on the Bangor 
waterfront to start her operational life. Ohio was followed by seven 
more Trident boats, each taking up its responsibilities in this 
strategic defense of our Nation. Of the original 18 Trident SSBNs in 
the U.S. inventory, eight now call the Puget Sound their home and 
continue their crucial strategic deterrent role.
  Additionally, after 24 years in operation, the first four SSBNs--
Ohio, Michigan, Florida, and Georgia--have been converted into cruise 
missile submarines. Two of these platforms, Ohio and Michigan, continue 
their service from the Bangor submarine base in this new role. The 
remaining six Ohio-class SSBNs and two cruise missile submarines carry 
out their essential duties from the naval submarine base at Kings Bay, 
Georgia.
  It is truly fitting that we recognize the achievements of our Trident 
submariners and their families over the past 27 years. We look to them 
to continue to build upon their legacy of excellent service to the 
United States in the years ahead.
  I want to thank my colleagues, Mr. Kissell, Mr. Wittman, who have 
joined me in supporting this resolution; and I urge all of my 
colleagues to support it with their votes.
  I would just add one thing: this is such an important program--and I 
have been on the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee for 31 years--that 
we are now starting a follow-on to the Trident submarine program. And I 
can remember when we had great debates here in the House on whether we 
should do a B-2 bomber and whether we should have an MX missile. The 
one thing that we always understood is that the most survivable element 
of our strategic triad were these Trident submarines, and I commend 
Admiral Rickover and all of those who followed him for the great work 
that they did in inspiring these concepts, and it has been of great 
value to our country.
  So I appreciate the gentleman from North Carolina yielding to me, and 
I appreciate you bringing this resolution to the floor. And I urge my 
colleagues to vote in favor of it. Thank you.
  Mr. KISSELL. I would like to, at this point in time, thank my 
colleagues from Virginia (Mr. Wittman) and from Washington (Mr. Dicks) 
for their words about this resolution, the importance of this 
resolution.
  This branch of service in the Navy, to the crews of the 14, these 
Ohio-class submarines, we offer our appreciation and thanks to the 
people that make it work, all of the listings of people that were 
given, but especially to the friends and the families of these crew 
members that, without them and their support for these crews, it would 
make this work extremely much harder than what it is already during the 
times of separation and trials that exist upon the families.
  This branch of service remains strong. It is a clear deterrent to 
threats that our Nation may incur. We once again congratulate this 
branch of service on its 1,000th mission of deterrence and 1,000th 
successful mission.
  I reserve my time.
  Mr. WITTMAN. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Madam Speaker, I would like to thank again Mr. Dicks from the State 
of Washington and his leadership and his vision especially as we 
progress from the Ohio-class of submarine to the next generation. He is 
certainly right, the Ohio-class has been an integral part of the triad 
of the defense of this Nation. It is critically important that we plan 
now for the next generation of submarine that will eventually replace 
the Ohio-class.
  And I applaud his vision, his leadership in recognizing the 
importance of the Ohio-class but also the efforts that make sure that 
we have that next class that provides for the defense of this Nation.
  And I'd like to thank Mr. Kissell, too, for his leadership and his 
recognition of the importance of the Ohio-class submarine and also the 
importance of the next class of the replacement for the Ohio-class for 
the future defense of this Nation.
  With that, Madam Speaker, I have no other speakers, and I yield back 
my time.
  Mr. KISSELL. Madam Speaker, at this point in time I would like to 
encourage all of my colleagues to join in voting ``aye'' on H. Con. 
Res. 129 to honor the Navy once again and the sailors in the Ohio-class 
submarines, the silent service, for its great work and successful 1,000 
missions.
  I yield back my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Kissell) that the House suspend the 
rules and agree to the concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res. 129.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. KISSELL. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.

                          ____________________