[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 120 (Tuesday, July 28, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1139]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   RECOGNIZING THE DEDICATED SERVICE OF CAPTAIN STEPHEN F. WILLIAMSON

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. DEREK KILMER

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 28, 2015

  Mr. KILMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the dedicated 
service of Captain Stephen F. Williamson. CAPT Williamson has served as 
the 48th Commanding Officer of Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and 
Intermediate Maintenance Facility at Naval Base Kitsap.
   Since June of 2012, his steadfast leadership has helped guide the 
civil servants and sailors at PSNS & IMF through periods of tumult and 
uncertainty, unprecedented growth, and continued strife around the 
world. In addition, his positive influence has gone well beyond the 
fences of Naval Base Kitsap and into the surrounding communities of the 
Kitsap Peninsula.
   Prior to assuming the role of Commanding Officer at PSNS & IMF, CAPT 
Williamson served as Business & Operations Officer, Production Resource 
Officer, and Operations Officer within the Command. Using experience 
from these roles, his stellar educational background, and multiple 
waterfront maintenance and surface warfare tours, CAPT Williamson was 
well-prepared to take on the challenges that the PSNS & IMF Command can 
present to its Commanding Officer.
   To meet challenging expectations to maintain the fleet and support 
changing deployment schedules, CAPT Williamson made great strides in 
growing civilian employment at PSNS & IMF to meet readiness standards 
and help replace an aging workforce. In addition to hiring thousands of 
new employees, CAPT Williamson has built on the strong tradition of the 
PSNS & IMF Apprenticeship Program to help grow the necessary expertise 
and future civilian leaders at the Shipyard.
   Outside of the deployments and work schedules, CAPT Williamson was 
forced to deal with a number of external factors that put his true 
leadership skills on display. Congressional dysfunction and budget 
uncertainty during his tenure as PSNS & IMF Commander forced CAPT 
Williamson to make difficult decisions in times of uncertainty. 
Regardless of what needed to be done, CAPT Williamson proved to be an 
open and effective communicator to the entire Command and ultimately 
put the needs of our Service Members and the Country first.
   Mr. Speaker, CAPT Stephen F. Williamson's leadership was not only 
exhibited within the gates of PSNS & IMF, but outside of the fence line 
in communities like Bremerton, Silverdale, and Port Orchard. CAPT 
Williamson was a regular participant in community events like Armed 
Forces Day and Whaling Days and rarely missed an opportunity to join a 
fun-run or service oriented 5K Race. He invested his time in building 
strong relationships with local service clubs and support organizations 
like the Bremerton-Olympic Peninsula Navy League and the Puget Sound 
Naval Bases Association.
   On behalf of the residents of the 6th Congressional District of 
Washington State I stand today, proudly, to honor the service of CAPT 
Stephen F. Williamson as Commanding Officer of Puget Sound Naval 
Shipyard & Intermediate Maintenance Facility. His recent nomination for 
the rank of Rear Admiral by President Obama is well-deserved and 
represents his impact on this community and our Country. Mr. Speaker, I 
humbly offer Admiral-Select Williamson and his family my sincere 
gratitude, and wish them fair winds and following seas.

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