[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 17664-17665]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




    RECOGNIZING THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF PUGET SOUND NAVAL SHIPYARD AND 
   INTERMEDIATE MAINTENANCE FACILITY IN ENGAGING AND HIRING WOUNDED 
                         WARRIORS AND VETERANS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. NORMAN D. DICKS

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 16, 2010

  Mr. DICKS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to an 
outstanding organization located in my district, the Puget Sound Naval 
Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility (PSNS & IMF). PSNS & 
IMF, commanded by Captain Mark Whitney, leads Naval Sea Systems Command 
in engaging and hiring our nation's veterans and wounded warriors. In 
Fiscal Year 2010 PSNS & IMF hired 56 Disabled Veterans with a 
disability of 30 percent or greater, providing them with the 
opportunity to productively continue to contribute to our nation's 
security through the critical work of maintaining our Navy.
  The debt of gratitude the nation owes our veterans is immeasurable, 
but this is one effort which has had a substantial and meaningful 
impact towards our responsibilities for

[[Page 17665]]

these men and women. I submit this letter from Vice Admiral Kevin M. 
McCoy, Commander of Naval Sea Systems Command, as testimony to the 
leadership and achievements of Captain Whitney and Puget Sound Naval 
Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility.
                                           Department of the Navy,


                                    Naval Sea Systems Command,

                       Washington Navy Yard, DC, October 22, 2010.
     Congressman Norm Dicks.
     Rayburn House Office Building,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Congressman Dicks: During my visit to Bremerton for 
     Armed Forces Day 2010, you had some very encouraging comments 
     about the great work of Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and 
     Intermediate Maintenance Facility (PSNS & IMF) in taking care 
     of our Nation's Veterans and in particular our Wounded 
     Warriors. We also discussed NAVSEA initiatives in support of 
     these very important programs as I had recently returned from 
     the Wounded Warrior Olympics in Colorado. Captain Mark 
     Whitney continues to lead NAVSEA activities in hiring and 
     reaching out to our veterans and wounded warriors. For Fiscal 
     Year 2010, PSNS & IMF has hired 56 Disabled Veterans with 30 
     percent or greater disability.
       This past year, they participated in many significant 
     events to hire veterans and wounded warriors. They 
     strengthened their partnership with agencies that support 
     Wounded Warriors by hosting a familiarization visit of the 
     shipyard with Career Counselors, Employment Specialists, and 
     Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors from Warrior Transition 
     Command, Phoenix Battalion, Fort Lewis; Seattle and Bremerton 
     Veterans Affairs Vocational Rehabilitation/Education Office. 
     The visit provided information that improved awareness of the 
     career and development opportunities available for Wounded 
     Warriors and Disabled Veterans at naval shipyards.
       Most recently the shipyard entered into a partnership with 
     the Navy Safe Harbor Program at Bremerton Naval Hospital to 
     provide internship opportunities for active duty service 
     members who are seriously wounded, injured, or ill. This is a 
     terrific opportunity for service members to productively 
     apply their skills and talents and learn additional skills in 
     preparation for transitioning to civilian careers. Their 
     first intern, Lieutenant John Edmonston, checked in on 
     October 1, will work in Combat Systems Division on October 
     12.
       I am very proud of the work being done at the shipyard and 
     are adopting the best practices pioneered by Captain Whitney 
     and his team across our entire Wounded Warrior program. I 
     appreciate all you do for our great Nation and the tremendous 
     support you provide to the U.S. Navy. Should you have any 
     questions or desire to discuss NAVSEA efforts to employ and 
     support Veterans, please do not hesitate to call.
           Sincerely,
                                                      K. M. McCoy,
     Vice Admiral, U.S. Navy.

                          ____________________