[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 15] [Senate] [Pages 21593-21594] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]TRIBUTE TO DR. FRED SAALFELD Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I would like to recognize the professional dedication, vision and public service of Dr. Fred Saalfeld who is retiring from the Senior Executive Service, SES, where he serves as Executive Director and Technical Director of the U.S. Navy Office of Naval Research, ONR. It is a privilege for me to recognize the many outstanding achievements he has provided the Office of Naval Research, the Navy, and our great Nation. In times of adversity and challenge, America has always been blessed with men and women who have stepped forward to fight our battles and serve our country. Dr. Fred Saalfeld is such a man, much like those Founding Fathers who were patriot scientists and dedicated public servants. I wish we had more like him. The foundation of his professional career was laid at Southeast Missouri State University where he earned a B.S. degree cum laude with majors in Chemistry, Physics and Mathematics in 1957 and was a standout intercollegiate basketball player as well. Fred Saalfeld matriculated to Iowa State University, where he earned his M.S. in 1959 and Ph.D. in 1961, majoring in Physical Chemistry, with minors in Inorganic Chemistry and Mathematics. Dr. Saalfeld joined the Naval Research Laboratory, NRL, in 1962, where he conducted and directed research in physical chemistry. From 1963 to 1976, he headed the Mass Spectrometry Section and later, the Physical Chemistry Branch. His research led to innovations in atmospheric monitoring and life support now widely used in nuclear submarines, firefighting gear, spacecraft and other equipment using recirculated air. In 1976, he was selected as Superintendent of the NRL Chemistry Division, where he directed programs involving approximately 250 chemists and a $16 million budget. Dr. Saalfeld was selected as Chief Scientist and Scientific Director at the ONR Branch Office in London for the period 1979 to 1980. He returned to NRL from this special assignment. By 1982, he was Associate Director of Research for Material Sciences and Component Technology, involving over 600 scientists and a $90 million budget. Dr. Saalfeld was appointed Director of ONR's Research Department in 1982 and Associate Director of ONR in 1985. He was responsible for the Navy's $220 million contract research program mostly aimed at basic research in American universities. From 1987 until 1993, Dr. Saalfeld was Director of ONR, responsible for the Navy's basic research and NRL. In 1993, he was appointed Technical Director of ONR and Deputy Chief of Naval Research. The title changed to Executive Director and Technical Director in 1998. As such, Dr. Saalfeld became responsible for the Navy and Marine Corps science and technology program. In effect, Dr. Saalfeld was the Chief Operating Officer of the Office of Naval Research, a ``Department of Navy Corporation,'' including a budget of nearly $2 billion and oversight of three international offices and the renowned national laboratory, the Naval Research Laboratory. Dr. Saalfeld became a charter member of the Senior Executive Service, SES, under President Carter. President Reagan named him to the Presidential Meritorious Executive Rank in 1986, named to the Presidential Distinguished Executive Rank by President Bush in 1989, and Presidential Distinguished Executive Rank for a second time by President Clinton in 1996. Dr. Saalfeld has been awarded Department of the Navy Meritorious, Superior and Distinguished Civilian Service Awards, and the Department of Defense Distinguished Civilian Service Award. In addition, Dr. Saalfeld has been recognized with the Captain Robert Dexter Conrad Award, the Navy's highest award for scientific achievement. He has won the Southeast Missouri State University Alumni Merit Award in 1988, been recognized by Washington Technology as one of the area's top technologists in 1989, and selected by the Federal Executive Institute as Federal Executive of the Year in 1991. During his long and exemplary career, Dr. Saalfeld authored and co- authored more than 500 research papers, reports and presentations. He is active in scientific societies, including the Society for Applied Spectroscopy, the American Society for Mass Spectrometry, and the American Chemical Society. He is a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, served as Secretary of the American Society for Mass Spectrometry, and served as President of the Chemical Society of Washington. I could go on and on about the contributions made by Dr. Saalfeld throughout his long and distinguished career. There are almost too many to recount. I have in mind not only his professional, technical and scientific attainments and achievements, but also the courage with which he faces personal challenges, and the easy grace with which he wins friends. For Dr. Fred Saalfeld considers the entire community of military personnel, civilian employees and contractors who serve at ONR headquarters, at the NRL, and ONR offices and facilities throughout the world to be his family. He supported their research, provided opportunities to exercise initiative in diverse scientific fields, and championed their achievements. But most importantly, he has been friend, counselor, and mentor to many hundreds of people in the Navy and scientific communities. Dr. Saalfeld's most lasting legacy may not be his own discoveries, and may not even those that took place under his direction and supervision, although that record would be a great legacy for any person. His most lasting legacy may be achievements in science and technology that take place in the future, realized by scientists encouraged to serve the Navy and their country by following the example of Dr. Fred Saalfeld. Dr. Saalfeld has spent four decades ensuring our nation and its naval forces have been equipped with technological supremacy to ensure victory over America's enemies. As America enters the 21st Century and faces new and unsettling changes, the scientific discoveries and technological achievements Dr. Saalfeld has nurtured will continue to ensure our strength and freedom. There are many impressive scientists and leaders in technological innovation [[Page 21594]] in America. It is a feature that keeps America a global leader and a prosperous, secure society. There are few who have dedicated their lives to ensuring that we make necessary investments to guarantee future leadership. Fred Saalfeld is one who has exhibited this dedication. In the university and federal research community, Dr. Saalfeld is a living legend and the ``soul of federal research investment.'' We in the Senate wish Dr. Saalfeld all the best in his future endeavors, with fair winds and following seas as he sets off to address new challenges and makes even more contributions to this land of liberty. May God continue to bless Fred Saalfeld, his loving wife Liz, and the United States of America. ____________________