[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 168 (Tuesday, October 25, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1084-E1085]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   RECOGNIZING THE CONTRIBUTION OF THE HOLSTON ARMY AMMUNITION PLANT

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                         HON. DIANA HARSHBARGER

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 25, 2022

  Mrs. HARSHBARGER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 80th 
anniversary of the Holston Army Ammunition Plant.
  For the last eight decades, The Holston Army Ammunition Plant (HSAAP) 
and the great patriots of the Tri-Cities area have played a significant 
role in defending our homeland. The HSAAP was established in 1942 after 
Tennessee Eastman revolutionized the production of RDX at the Wexler 
Bend Pilot Plant. Due to their success, the US government would assign 
Holston the mammoth mission of mass producing Composition B.
  As the Battle of the Atlantic was raging, The US military and its 
allies needed as much Composition B as they could get their hands on. 
This new war compound was needed due to previous munitions being too 
weak to penetrate U-Boat armor. No time could be wasted, as German U-
boats were sinking the American merchant ships at the rate of five to 
six per day. Without hesitation, Holston operated 24 hours a day, seven 
days a week to meet its mission. Before mid-1943, one U-boat was lost 
for every 100,000 tons of shipping sunk; afterward, one U-boat was lost 
to 10,000 tons of shipping. This massive shift could not have occurred 
without the large-scale use of Torpex munitions.
  The HSAAP's contribution to World War II is incalculable. Holston's 
mass production of Composition B saved countless American lives and 
helped end the war much sooner.
  Except for a four-year standby period immediately following V-J Day, 
HSAAP has been in

[[Page E1085]]

continuous production since its initial construction in 1942 through 
1944. From the Korean War to the campaign against ISIS, Holston has 
been relied on to supply the war effort.
  Madam Speaker, The Holston Army Munitions Plant has dutifully served 
the American War effort. Without the blood, sweat, and tears of Holston 
workers, many of our battles could have ended differently.

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