[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 57 (Thursday, April 14, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E461-E462]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  PAYING TRIBUTE TO CAPTAIN DAVID A. CHASE, AS HE PREPARES TO RETIRE 
 AFTER 30 YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE UNITED STATES NAVY AND TO OUR NATION

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ANDER CRENSHAW

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 14, 2016

  Mr. CRENSHAW. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to the incredible 
service of Captain David A. Chase, as he prepares to retire after 30 
years of Commissioned Service to the United States Navy and for his 
extraordinary dedication to duty and to the United States of America.
   I have worked with Captain Chase personally over the past three 
years in his capacity as Director of the Navy Appropriations Matters 
Office (FMBE) in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Navy 
(Financial Management and Comptroller), and I would like to share some 
highlights of his fine career.
   Captain Chase graduated from the College of the Holy Cross in 
Worcester, Massachusetts, in 1986 with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics 
and received his commission through

[[Page E462]]

the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps program. He also holds Masters 
Degrees from the Naval War College and National Defense University 
Eisenhower School. During his illustrious Naval career, he commanded 
the Mine Countermeasures Ship USS Avenger (MCM 1) from 1999-2001, 
Guided Missile Frigate USS Vandegrift (FFG 48) from 2004-2006 and was 
the Commodore of a squadron of fourteen mine warfare ships, their 
crews, and a command staff of 85. Highlights of his Command tours 
include deployments to the Mediterranean, Persian Gulf, and Western 
Pacific, operating with Kitty Hawk Strike Group as part of the Japan-
based Forward Deployed Naval Forces, and preparing ready and capable 
mine warfare ships and trained crews to support Seventh and Fifth Fleet 
operations.
   He also served with distinction in a variety of assignments ashore: 
Flag Aide to Commander Naval Base San Francisco/Commander Logistics 
Group One; Financial Analyst on the OPNAV staff (Surface Warfare 
Directorate), where he was responsible for developing shipbuilding 
budgets; and as a Politico-Military Planner for the Strategic Plans and 
Policy Directorate, Joint Staff (J5), where he developed and oversaw 
Theater Security Cooperation activities in Pacific Command area of 
operations. His efforts helped to build and strengthen America's ties 
with our Southeast Asian partners and allies at a critical time in our 
nation's history.
   In his current assignment as the Director of Navy Appropriations 
Matters Office, during a time of significant readiness and manpower 
challenges, he demonstrated exceptional leadership and foresight, 
engaging Members of the Appropriations Committee and its staff to 
provide information essential to resourcing the Navy for its role as 
the world's dominant sea power. In an increasingly difficult budget 
environment, Captain Chase provided essential support in shepherding 
four Navy budgets through the appropriations process. He served our 
Navy and nation with integrity, insight and dedication. My office, the 
subcommittee staff, and I have found him to be a pleasure to work with 
and respect his professionalism.
   There is a saying in the United States Navy when a person retires 
that ``this sailor stood the watch,'' and today, Mr. Speaker, I ask you 
and Members of the House to join me in saluting my friend, Captain 
David A. Chase, for a job well done. He has faithfully stood the watch 
all these years and now his watch stands relieved. To Dave, his wife 
Caroline, and his three children Kirsten, Evan, and Sophie, we wish 
them ``Fair Winds and Following Seas.''

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