[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 3]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 4383]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  PAYING TRIBUTE TO CAPTAIN DAVID A. CHASE, AS HE PREPARES TO RETIRE 
 AFTER 30 YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE UNITED STATES NAVY AND TO OUR NATION

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ANDER CRENSHAW

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 14, 2016

  Mr. CRENSHAW. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to the incredible 
service of Captain David A. Chase, as he prepares to retire after 30 
years of Commissioned Service to the United States Navy and for his 
extraordinary dedication to duty and to the United States of America.
   I have worked with Captain Chase personally over the past three 
years in his capacity as Director of the Navy Appropriations Matters 
Office (FMBE) in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Navy 
(Financial Management and Comptroller), and I would like to share some 
highlights of his fine career.
   Captain Chase graduated from the College of the Holy Cross in 
Worcester, Massachusetts, in 1986 with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics 
and received his commission through the Naval Reserve Officer Training 
Corps program. He also holds Masters Degrees from the Naval War College 
and National Defense University Eisenhower School. During his 
illustrious Naval career, he commanded the Mine Countermeasures Ship 
USS Avenger (MCM 1) from 1999-2001, Guided Missile Frigate USS 
Vandegrift (FFG 48) from 2004-2006 and was the Commodore of a squadron 
of fourteen mine warfare ships, their crews, and a command staff of 85. 
Highlights of his Command tours include deployments to the 
Mediterranean, Persian Gulf, and Western Pacific, operating with Kitty 
Hawk Strike Group as part of the Japan-based Forward Deployed Naval 
Forces, and preparing ready and capable mine warfare ships and trained 
crews to support Seventh and Fifth Fleet operations.
   He also served with distinction in a variety of assignments ashore: 
Flag Aide to Commander Naval Base San Francisco/Commander Logistics 
Group One; Financial Analyst on the OPNAV staff (Surface Warfare 
Directorate), where he was responsible for developing shipbuilding 
budgets; and as a Politico-Military Planner for the Strategic Plans and 
Policy Directorate, Joint Staff (J5), where he developed and oversaw 
Theater Security Cooperation activities in Pacific Command area of 
operations. His efforts helped to build and strengthen America's ties 
with our Southeast Asian partners and allies at a critical time in our 
nation's history.
   In his current assignment as the Director of Navy Appropriations 
Matters Office, during a time of significant readiness and manpower 
challenges, he demonstrated exceptional leadership and foresight, 
engaging Members of the Appropriations Committee and its staff to 
provide information essential to resourcing the Navy for its role as 
the world's dominant sea power. In an increasingly difficult budget 
environment, Captain Chase provided essential support in shepherding 
four Navy budgets through the appropriations process. He served our 
Navy and nation with integrity, insight and dedication. My office, the 
subcommittee staff, and I have found him to be a pleasure to work with 
and respect his professionalism.
   There is a saying in the United States Navy when a person retires 
that ``this sailor stood the watch,'' and today, Mr. Speaker, I ask you 
and Members of the House to join me in saluting my friend, Captain 
David A. Chase, for a job well done. He has faithfully stood the watch 
all these years and now his watch stands relieved. To Dave, his wife 
Caroline, and his three children Kirsten, Evan, and Sophie, we wish 
them ``Fair Winds and Following Seas.''

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