[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 11]
[Senate]
[Page 15598]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




RENAMING OF THE U.S. NAVAL ACADEMY ADMINISTRATION BUILDING FOR ADMIRAL 
                           CHARLES R. LARSON

  Mr. McCAIN. Mr. President, this Friday, October 2, 2015, the U.S. 
Naval Academy will honor ADM Charles R. Larson, class of 1958, by 
naming the administration building in his honor. Coming just a week 
before the Naval Academy celebrates its 170th anniversary, this is 
fitting tribute to man who has made such immeasurable contributions to 
this fine institution.
  Chuck Larson grew up thousands of miles from the nearest ocean. 
However, the calling of the sea brought him to Annapolis and the start 
of a career dedicated to the service of this great Nation. It was at 
the Academy where I had the distinct pleasure of getting to know this 
great man. Chuck's Academy experience was somewhat different than mine, 
where he would go on to become the brigade commander, president of the 
class of 1958, and graduate near the top of the class. I finished some 
distance behind that mark. Even though our paths were different, I 
cherished our friendship forged in those shared Academy experiences, a 
friendship that would last a lifetime.
  After graduation in the summer of 1958, Chuck would continue his 
exemplary career, eventually attaining the rank of admiral. He has led 
at every level from command at sea to theater command, as commander of 
the 2nd Fleet, a Deputy Chief of Naval Operations, commander of the 
Pacific Fleet, and finally as the commander of United States Pacific 
Command. Impressive as this resume was, the two jobs Chuck cherished 
most were his two tours as the Superintendent of the Naval Academy.
  As the only two-time Superintendent of the Academy in its 170-year 
history, Chuck left an indelible mark on the institution he so loved. 
Returning from retirement in 1994 to lead the Academy after serious 
problems left the institution with an uncertain future, Chuck focused 
on character development and fundamental leadership training to return 
to the founding principles of the Academy. In 4 years, he returned the 
institution to greatness and, in the process, trained the officers that 
would become the leaders in the fight against terrorism that would 
define a generation.
  As a result of Chuck's tireless efforts and the lasting initiatives 
he put in place, today the Naval Academy consistently ranks among the 
top schools in the Nation. His legacy of service to the Academy and the 
Nation will be felt in the decades to come as graduates from the 
institution become leaders in the military, government, and corporate 
venues. I can think of no better way to honor the legacy of Chuck's 
service than with the rededication of the administration building as 
Larson Hall. It will stand as an ever present reminder to the 
dedication and the ideals of great naval officer, leader, and dear 
friend.

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