[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 129 (Friday, September 21, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1591]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            HONORING THE SERVICE OF ADMIRAL KIRKLAND DONALD

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOE COURTNEY

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 20, 2012

  Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today, along with my friend and 
fellow co-chair of the bipartisan House Shipbuilding Caucus, 
Representative Rob Wittman of Virginia, to honor Admiral Kirkland 
Donald, U.S. Navy, as he prepares to retire upon completion of more 
than 37 years of faithful service to our Nation.
  Admiral Donald has held the position of Director, Naval Nuclear 
Propulsion Program (Naval Reactors), for the last eight years. During 
his illustrious career, he played a pivotal role in ensuring that 
nuclear-powered warships continued to meet our global commitments in 
defense of our Nation's security.
  Throughout his many years of service, Admiral Donald distinguished 
himself at the tip of the Navy's spear. He served as the Commanding 
Officer of the nuclear-powered attack submarine, USS Key West, 
Commander of the elite Submarine Development Squadron Twelve, and 
Commander of NATO's Submarine Forces in Europe. Other highlights 
include tours at the Bureau of Naval Personnel, the Joint Staff, and as 
Commander of all US Submarine Forces.
  As his time in Washington has shown, Admiral Donald's accomplishments 
do not end with his excellence as an undersea commander. Nuclear-
powered warships have safely steamed over 150 million miles, and 
operated for more than 6,400 reactor years without a reactor accident. 
The last 20 million miles and 800 reactor-years have been achieved 
under Admiral Donald's superb leadership overseeing more than 100 
operational nuclear reactors.
  Admiral Donald has been particularly passionate about our submarine 
force and the investment in our current and future undersea programs. 
At a time when submarines are playing an increasingly vital role in our 
national security, Admiral Donald has been at the forefront of making 
the case for the need for robust construction of new Virginia class 
submarines--and has kept a steady hand on this crucial program at a 
time when a cooperative effort between the Navy and our shipbuilding 
reduced the cost and construction schedule of each new submarine. At a 
time when every corner of our government is challenged to find savings 
to ensure the most efficient use of taxpayer dollars, Admiral Donald 
has helped to guide this shining example of acquisition excellence.
  Today, these incredible submarines are deployed worldwide, from the 
arctic to the equator, protecting Americans and our values. Their 
missions would not be possible without the ships' nuclear propulsion 
plants, impeccably designed and built by Admiral Donald and his team. I 
can speak from personal experience about the passion that Admiral 
Donald brings to this incredible responsibility.
  When I first came to Congress in 2007 as a new member of the House 
Armed Services Committee, Admiral Donald and his team were among the 
first in my office in those early days to help educate me on the 
importance of our nuclear powered submarines and the value they bring 
to our nation. In particular, he invited me to join an ``Ice 
Expedition'' on board the USS Alexandria--a two day voyage under the 
Arctic ice which was an opportunity to see firsthand the capability of 
the these extraordinary vessels.
  Further, Admiral Donald oversaw the final design and construction of 
the nuclear propulsion plant for the Nation's next-generation aircraft 
carrier class--the first new aircraft carrier design in over 40 years. 
Owing much to his leadership, the USS Gerald R. Ford propulsion plant 
will triple the electrical power available for transformational 
technology, reduce reactor compartment manning by nearly 50 percent, 
and increase ship operational availability by nearly 25 percent.
  As Director, Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program, Admiral Donald's 
commitment to environmental stewardship and public health and safety 
helped foster the highest degree of public trust. He worked tirelessly 
to develop and implement a robust process of preparing the nation's 
spent naval nuclear fuel to be stored safely for centuries. His 
foresight and execution give the American people great confidence that 
the nuclear Navy will continue to be safe and environmentally 
responsible for generations to come.
  Mr. Speaker, Admiral Donald has been a thoughtful, forward-looking 
and hands-on leader for our nation's Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program, 
and his stewardship of this highly effective, responsive and world-
class organization has set an example for all our nation's civilian and 
military leaders. Along with Representative Wittman and my colleagues 
in the House of Representatives, I wish him ``Fair Winds and Following 
Seas'' as he completes his honorable and distinguished service in the 
U.S. Navy, and wish he and his wife Diane the best as they embark on 
the next chapter of their lives.

                          ____________________