[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 163 (Tuesday, October 2, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1359-E1360]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           THE RETIREMENT OF VICE ADMIRAL DAVID JOHNSON, USN

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOE COURTNEY

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, October 2, 2018

  Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize and congratulate 
an outstanding Naval Officer, Vice Admiral David C. Johnson, for the 
successful completion of 36 years of distinguished Naval service, 
culminating with his position as the Principal Military Deputy for the 
Assistant Secretary of the Navy Research, Development and Acquisition. 
I commend Vice Admiral Johnson on his achievements and recognize his 
devotion to our great nation.
  A 1982 graduate of the United States Naval Academy, Admiral Johnson 
earned his Engineering Duty Officer Dolphins in 1986 and graduated from 
the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1989 with a Naval Engineer 
degree and a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering. He has 
devoted most of his career to the design, construction, repair, 
maintenance, modernization and sustainment of the nation's submarine 
force. During his career, he served as the Program Executive Officer 
for Submarines, the Commander for the Naval Undersea Warfare Center, 
the Deputy Commander for Undersea Technology, the Major Program Manager 
for Virginia Class Submarines, an Assistant Program Manager for Seawolf 
Class Submarines, the Program Manager's Representative at the new 
construction shipyard, a Project Officer, a Ship Superintendent and as 
Planning and Docking Officer.
  During Admiral Johnson's tour as Program Executive Officer for 
Submarines, he managed over $50 billion in funding across the Future 
Years Defense Plan for the research, design, acquisition and in-service 
support of the Navy's undersea force. In addition to accepting delivery 
of five Virginia Class submarines ahead of schedule and under cost, he 
led the Defense Department's highest priority acquisition program, the 
Columbia Class ballistic missile submarine, through critical 
development

[[Page E1360]]

milestones. He grew the U.S. Navy's stature and involvement in 
assisting key foreign partners in the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada 
and Spain. A significant highlight of this tour was the award of the 
largest shipbuilding contract in our nation's history--the $17.6 
billion Virginia Class Submarine Block Four contract. This multi-year 
contract reflected cost savings and risk reduction initiatives that set 
the basis for long-term industrial base stability while affordably 
providing the submarine force with critical assets around the world.
  In his final assignment, Admiral Johnson led an acquisition workforce 
of 60,000 military and civilian personnel in maintaining the Navy's 
future technological edge through daily oversight of critical 
investments. He executed three progressively intensive budget cycles 
ensuring the execution of 202 acquisition programs with applied 
resources in excess of $60 billion per year. His innovative approach 
led to an established framework for multiple accelerated acquisition 
programs ensuring that our sailors and marines were equipped with the 
most state-of-the-art technology. A tremendous steward of the 
taxpayers, he has put affordability into action--saving billions of 
dollars. He worked with the Secretary of the Navy, Chief of Naval 
Operations and Commandant of the Marine Corps to effectively and 
efficiently implement the Navy's warfighting requirements and resourced 
programs.
  As ranking Member of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on 
Seapower and Projection Forces and as Representative for eastern 
Connecticut, the Submarine Capital of the World, I have witnessed 
firsthand over many years Admiral Johnson's steady leadership and 
stewardship of our nation's submarine construction programs. Since my 
first days as a new member of the committee in 2007, Admiral Johnson 
has been a tremendous resource to me personally, and to my staff--
providing keen insight and a wealth of shipbuilding knowledge that has 
helped guide good policy making and smart budgetary decisions in 
Congress.
  Admiral Johnson's 36 years of honorable service to this nation and 
professional success would not have been possible without the steadfast 
support of his wife, Carol and daughters, Ellen, Elizabeth, and Anne. I 
ask all my colleagues to join me in honoring Admiral Johnson and his 
family for their service to our nation and wish Admiral Johnson fair 
winds and following seas in the next exciting chapter of his life.

                          ____________________