[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 48 (Thursday, March 22, 2012)]
[Senate]
[Page S1994]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO ``CHIP'' JAENICHEN

  Mr. McCONNELL. Madam President, I rise today in honor of Captain Paul 
``Chip'' Jaenichen, United States Navy, who is retiring this month 
after three decades of dedicated service to our great Nation. Captain 
Jaenichen has spent the last 2 years of his career serving the U.S. 
Congress as the Navy's Deputy Chief of Legislative Affairs. In this 
role, Captain Jaenichen maintained oversight of the Navy team that 
provides Members and committees of Congress with information concerning 
the programs of the Department of the Navy.
  Captain Jaenichen's Kentucky roots run deep. He spent his formative 
years in Brandenburg, graduating from Meade County High School in 1978. 
During his senior year he was selected as one of 50 football players 
from across the Commonwealth to play in the 1978 East-West All-star 
game. Chip's wife Paula was born in Morganfield, grew up in Louisville 
and later attended Meade County High School with him. After her 
graduation from Western Kentucky University, Paula and Chip were 
married in Brandenburg. The couple then moved to Louisville, where they 
lived until he began the Nuclear Training pipeline. Their daughter 
Rachael attended Murray State University and is now an English teacher 
at Reidland High School in Paducah. Chip and Paula's son Nathan 
currently serves as a Marine Corps pilot.
  Chip was able to pay homage to his Kentucky heritage in his career as 
the Executive Officer of the USS Kentucky, an Ohio Class ballistic 
missile submarine. During this tour he started a Namesake State school 
partnership with Raceland Elementary School near Ashland. Through this 
program, which continues to thrive, he coordinated several visits for 
the crew of the Kentucky to work on humanitarian projects in the 
Commonwealth. Chip's efforts led to his nomination and selection to the 
Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels in 1996, an organization with 
which he remains active.
  Captain Jaenichen's naval career began in 1978 with an appointment to 
the U.S. Naval Academy from Representative William Natcher. Upon 
graduation, he was commissioned as a submarine officer and spent the 
majority of his career on sea duty. He honorably served on four 
different submarines before assuming the role of Executive Officer 
aboard the USS Kentucky. After three strategic deterrent patrols with 
the Kentucky, Captain Jaenichen assumed command of the USS Albany. 
Captain Jaenichen served the final 2 years of his career with the 
Navy's Legislative Affairs office here in Washington.
  I thank Captain Jaenichen for his 30 years of loyal service to this 
Nation. He has made a lasting and significant contribution to the 
United States Navy and our Nation. I wish him and his family all the 
best as they begin this new chapter in their lives.

                          ____________________