[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 16]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 21917]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




            HONORING CAPTAIN RUSS KELLER, UNITED STATES NAVY

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. HENRY E. BROWN, JR.

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 29, 2005

  Mr. BROWN of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize 
and honor Captain Russ Keller, United States Navy, as he retires upon 
completion of more than 26 years of honorable and faithful service to 
our nation.
  A native of Pittsburgh, PA, Captain Keller was appointed to the 
United States Naval Academy in 1975 and graduated with the class of 
1979. Following initial nuclear power and submarine training, he 
reported to his first submarine, USS Trepang (SSN 674), where he served 
as the reactor controls assistant and later as the weapons officer. His 
assignment on Trepang was followed by a shore assignment in the 
Pentagon as flag lieutenant and aide for the Navy's Director of 
Research, Development, Test and Evaluation. Captain Keller next 
attended Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government, 
where he earned a masters in public administration degree. Following 
his tour at Harvard, he returned to sea as the Navigator on board USS 
Simon Bolivar (SSBN 641) (BLUE), where he completed five strategic 
deterrent patrols in the final days of the Cold War. Upon departing 
Simon Bolivar, Captain Keller remained at sea as the executive officer 
on board USS Narwhal (SSN 671), where he prepared the ship's crew to 
return to sea following a 37-month refueling overhaul. Following his 
tour as Executive Officer, Captain Keller was assigned to the Navy 
Staff in Washington, DC where he served in the strategy and concepts 
branch. In June 1995 Captain Keller received the most coveted and 
demanding of all naval assignments when he was selected for Command at 
Sea. He served as the Commanding Officer of USS Springfield (SSN 761) 
for 31 months, during which time the ship completed several independent 
submarine missions vital to national security.
  Based on his successful command tour, Captain Keller was selected by 
the Navy's Chief of Legislative Affairs to serve in the Office of 
Legislative Affairs, where he was assigned initially as the submarine 
and strategic programs liaison officer. Following two years working 
these issues, he was promoted internally and assigned as the Director 
of Naval Programs, with responsibilities for all Navy procurement, 
operations and maintenance, and research and development programs. His 
tenure in the Office of Legislative Affairs spanned five defense 
authorization bill cycles and earned him the trust and respect of 
members of Congress, committee and personal staff members as well as 
senior officials in the Department of the Navy. A role model and mentor 
to those who worked for and with him, he made his impact on people as 
well as programs. Through his brilliant insight and dedication, he 
contributed directly to the future readiness of the United States Navy 
and the nation.
  In September 2002 Captain Keller was selected for major command, and 
served his final tour on active duty as the Commanding Officer of the 
Naval Nuclear Power Training Command in Charleston, SC from July 2003 
until July 2005. Under his supervision, thousands of future naval 
nuclear operators and supervisors completed the most rigorous academic 
training program in our military while being imbued with the highest 
standards of personal integrity and reliability.
  Captain Keller's distinguished awards include the Legion of Merit, 
the Meritorious Service Medal, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, 
the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps 
Achievement Medal and numerous unit and campaign awards.
  The Department of the Navy, the Congress, and the American people 
have been defended and well served by this dedicated Naval Officer for 
more than 26 years. Captain Russ Keller long will be remembered for his 
leadership, service and dedication. He will be missed.
  Mr. Speaker, I am proud to have Russ and Chris Keller as 
constituents. I ask my colleagues in the 109th Congress to join me in 
congratulating him and wishing him the best of luck in all his future 
endeavors.

                          ____________________