[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 135 (Friday, August 11, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E773]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HONORING THE RETIREMENT OF THE CHIEF OF NAVAL OPERATIONS, ADMIRAL MIKE 
                                 GILDAY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOE COURTNEY

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, August 11, 2023

  Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the diligent and 
honorable service of Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Mike Gilday. On 
August 14, Admiral Gilday is slated to retire from his four-year term 
as the U.S. Navy's 32nd Chief of Naval Operations, and it is more than 
fitting that this chamber take a moment to recognize his extraordinary 
record leading our Nation's Navy.
  A New England native hailing from Massachusetts, Mike Gilday was 
raised in a family with a strong Navy tradition. His innate 
intelligence, his patriotism and his leadership qualities stood out at 
an early age, foreshadowing a promising career as a naval officer. Upon 
graduating high school, he received a congressional nomination to the 
U.S. Naval Academy, and after graduation was commissioned as a Surface 
Warfare Officer in 1985. During his career he continued his passion for 
learning and obtained an MPA from the Harvard Kennedy School and an MS 
from the National War College.
  Admiral Gilday's record at sea is impressive. He commanded the 
Destroyers USS Higgins and USS Benfold, was Commodore of Destroyer 
Squadron 7, and Commander of Carrier Strike Group 8. As Vice Admiral, 
he was the fourth commander of U.S. Fleet Cyber Command developing and 
enhancing the Navy's information network operations, offensive and 
defensive cyberspace operations, space operations and signals 
intelligence. In the 21st century, proficiency in cyber command--
something which didn't exist until recently, provides an immense 
benefit to naval readiness. Admiral Gilday is the first to bring skill 
to the CNO position.
  Ashore he served our Nation with distinction during a remarkable 
career. He completed several tours as a staff officer working for the 
Chief of Naval Operations and the Vice Chief of Naval Operations. He 
served as the executive assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs 
of Staff and naval aide to the President.
  His commitment to our allies and partners were not only reflected 
during his work as the Chief of Naval Operations, but during his 
distinguished service as the director of operations for NATO's Joint 
Force Command Lisbon and as Chief of Staff for Naval Striking and 
Support Forces NATO.
  Appointed to the role of Chief of Naval Operations in August 2019, 
Admiral Gilday has, in conjunction with the Congress's constitutional 
mandate in Article One, Section 8 ``To provide and maintain a Navy'', 
done outstanding work to keep our fleet relevant and oriented to 
challenges across the globe. Equipped with his striking educational 
background, as well as his history of deployments and command, his 
competent service as the head of naval operations has come to no 
surprise. It speaks volumes that he was the first three-star admiral to 
be appointed, to the position of Chief of Naval Operations in nearly 
half a century.
  Each of his prior missions have influenced a modernized national 
security perspective within him, and by extension from the top of the 
U.S. Navy down. As our Nation has shifted emphasis of our security 
strategy toward the Indo-Pacific region over the last decade-plus, 
Admiral Gilday has been a pioneer in adapting cyber preparedness and 
how best to prepare for and respond to competition or challenges to our 
collective freedom of the seas. He has been a steady presence in 
touring our Nation's industrial base capabilities, testifying to the 
U.S. Navy's needs before the House Armed Services Committee and a 
particular spokesperson in successfully advancing the cutting-edge 
vision of the AUKUS alliance.
  Mr. Speaker, as both Ranking Member and Chair of the House Armed 
Services' Seapower Projection Forces Subcommittee, I have had a front 
row seat to view his tenure. It was not an easy time, contending with 
an unstable budget environment, historic turnover in the Office of 
Secretary of the Navy from 2017 until 2020, and a global pandemic. 
Through it all, he maintained a steady hand on the helm of our fleet 
and the marine corps. Overcoming adversity is I believe the sternest 
test of leadership, and in my opinion, Admiral Gilday passed that test 
with flying colors. The weightiness of his sea legs will be incredibly 
difficult to replace, but we will welcome the new perspective brought 
on by the next Chief of Naval Operations. As Admiral Mike Gilday enters 
this new era of retirement with his wife, Linda, I ask that my 
colleagues in the House, and particularly those who serve on the House 
Armed Services Committee, to join me in recognizing his life of service 
to the Navy and the United States.

                          ____________________