[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 16800]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




HONORING CAPTAIN MARK GINDA FOR HIS LEADERSHIP OF NAVAL SUBMARINE BASE 
                               NEW LONDON

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                           HON. JOE COURTNEY

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 26, 2009

  Mr. COURTNEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Captain Mark S. 
Ginda, who, after three years of service as Commanding Officer at Naval 
Submarine Base New London, will be moving on to his new position at the 
Defense Liaison Division in Washington, DC.
  Captain Mark Ginda has served our nation through his service in the 
Submarine force since 1982, when he graduated from the United States 
Naval Academy. He went on to serve on the USS George C. Marshall (SSBN 
654), USS Alexander Hamilton (SSBN 617), USS Sand Lance (SSN 660) and 
commanded the USS Pasadena (SSN 752). Back on shore, Captain Ginda 
served as an instructor at Naval Nuclear Power School, flag aide to the 
Commander of the Atlantic Fleet, directed readiness preparations at 
Submarine Squadron FIFTEEN in Guam, helped to coordinate intelligence, 
surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) resources at the United States 
Strategic Command.
  In August 2006, Captain Ginda became the 48th Commanding Officer of 
Naval Submarine Base New London. Since then, he has overseen one of our 
nations most historic and important naval bases, which covers 680 
acres, serves as home to 70 tenant commands, and supports the officers 
and crew of nearly one-quarter of our attack submarine fleet. He has 
done so with enthusiasm, with passion and with a dedication not only to 
strengthening the base for the future, but with a renewed commitment to 
our nation's most import asset: the young Americans who serve our 
nation.
  In his three years there, Captain Ginda has overseen a flurry of 
activity unmatched in the recent history of SUBASE New London. From a 
new crane facility at the waterfront, to a long-needed renovation of 
the Liberty Center for bachelor sailors, the completion of an 
initiative to improve housing options and a number of other critical 
projects, there isn't a corner of the base where Captain Ginda hasn't 
had an impact. Under his leadership, SUBASE embarked on one of the most 
ambitious demolition projects in the Navy, pulling down more than 35 
buildings and structures through a more than $18 million undertaking of 
projects that will trim down the excess infrastructure at the base and 
lower operating costs. He's also been a commander who takes things into 
his own hands, and recently manned the controls of a backhoe and helped 
demolish buildings.
  More important than the bricks and mortar, however, has been Captain 
Ginda's efforts to improve the quality of life for the sailors, and 
their families, stationed at SUBASE New London, and breath new life 
into the base not just as a military facility--but as a home to its 
residents and a contributing member of the southeastern Connecticut 
community.
  Not too long ago SUBASE New London was threatened with closure. While 
advocates and supporters from across the state joined together to 
reverse this decision and keep the base open, there hung over the base 
a sense that it was a ``relic,'' that it was somehow an outdated and 
gloomy place in which to serve. Each and every day since arriving at 
the base, Captain Ginda worked to reverse that perception by 
reconnecting the base with the community around it, by looking forward 
at what the base could be, and by ensuring that the base is able to 
accomplish its most important goal--the support of the sailors and 
families who make up our submarine force.
  Not too long after Captain Ginda took command of the base, I was 
honored to be elected as the representative of the second Congressional 
district of Connecticut. As a new member from the other side of the 
district, it was important for me to get up to speed fast on the needs 
of the base and the challenges it faced. From day one, Captain Ginda 
made sure to reach out to me, and take the time to walk me through his 
vision for the base and ensuring that no question of mine went unasked. 
His help, and counsel, was instrumental in making sure I had the 
knowledge I needed to come to Washington to advocate on behalf of the 
base and its importance to our nation. I am so grateful for his 
assistance and the close working relationship he has had with me and my 
office. I am also especially thankful for the warm friendship that he 
and his wife, Terry, have shown and their efforts to ensure that I felt 
at home as a member of the SUBASE New London community.
  Madam Speaker, it has truly been an honor to work with Captain Ginda, 
and I have no doubt that his legacy will be felt at the base and in the 
region for some time to come. He has been a terrific resource for me 
and my office, a trusted advocate for his base, and a respected partner 
in the southeastern Connecticut community. I ask all my colleagues in 
joining me in thanking Captain Ginda for his service to the Navy, 
recognizing his tireless efforts at SUBASE New London, and in wishing 
he and Terry good luck as they prepare to move on to this next step in 
their lives.

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