[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 102 (Friday, June 11, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E627]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               RECOGNIZING THE RETIREMENT OF BLAIR DECKER

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                           HON. JOE COURTNEY

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 11, 2021

  Mr. COURTNEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend the esteemed 
career of Blair Decker, who retires from General Dynamics Electric Boat 
as Vice President of Supply Chain on July 6, 2021. Mr. Decker retires 
from a long, dedicated career that spans more than 40 years with 
Electric Boat. With his service to the company in mind, Blair's 
leadership has been central in maintaining the quality and rate of 
production at Electric Boat. In leading the company's supply and by 
extension output capabilities, Blair's role has directly resulted in 
tangible benefits for our country, including the creation of thousands 
of jobs for Connecticut and Rhode Island's local economies and the 
maintenance of our national security.
  Madam Speaker, by way of origin, Blair's background is a model 
example for contributing to one's own community after receiving an in-
state education. After graduating from Fairfield University with a 
bachelor's degree in Economics, Blair went on to receive a Master of 
Science in Engineering Management from the University of New Haven. 
Although he went on to gain additional educational experience from Penn 
State University and Bryant College, Blair quickly transitioned the 
application of the skills and knowledge he gained toward a career at 
Electric Boat right here in Connecticut.
  During his loyal tenure at Electric Boat, Blair continuously sought 
to increase his role in leadership positions and level of 
responsibility, taking the mission of this essential company to heart. 
He further developed the skills from his earlier education through 
these new roles of responsibility--including his expert oversight of 
Material Acquisitions and Warehousing, Inventory Management, Material 
Services, Information, Document and Configuration Management as well as 
Supplier and Shipyard Quality Assurance.
  As Vice President of Supply Chain, Blair has been responsible for 
cultivating the vision for organizing General Dynamic's entire Material 
and Acquisition Value Stream--an undoubtedly heavy influx order for the 
ever-increasing national security demands placed upon Electric Boat. At 
this crowning position, Blair has been specifically responsible for the 
execution of design and engineering, construction, material conveyance, 
supply chain development, strategic sourcing, supplier development and 
product life cycle support, Overall, Blair has been instrumental in the 
progression of General Dynamic Electric Boat's acquisitions abilities, 
transforming the company's reputation as a national leader in 
shipbuilding.
  It is worth noting that Mr. Decker also sought to contribute toward 
the local community outside of his impressive leadership record at 
Electric Boat. For example, Blair previously donated his time as an 
active member of the Board of Directors and Trustee for the Eastern 
Connecticut Chamber of Commerce, the Board of Directors of the DNA-EPI 
Science Center and the Board of Trustees for the Lyme Academy of Fine 
Arts of the University of New Haven. Considering the nature of his 
demanding position at Electric Boat, Blair also notably served as chair 
of the General Dynamics Supply Chain Management Council reporting 
directly to the Corporation's Chief Executive Officer.
  Madam Speaker, Blair's competence as an advocate for Electric Boat's 
mission has been incomparable. With his departure, our region and 
Electric Boat can find comfort in the sound supply chain infrastructure 
that he directly brought about. This bright future for Electric Boat 
will continue to mean incredible things for the second district's local 
economy and even more for the stability of our national security for 
generations to come. To that end, I ask that my colleagues in the House 
join me in congratulating Blair Decker on his well-earned retirement, 
where he now goes on to spend more time with his family: his daughters 
Alyssa and Robyn, and his sister Beth.

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