[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 201 (Tuesday, October 17, 2000)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 61257-61258]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-26771]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 201 / Tuesday, October 17, 2000 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 61257]]


                Proclamation 7363 of October 12, 2000

                
100th Anniversary of the U.S. Navy Submarine 
                Force, 2000

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                On October 12, 1900, the United States Navy 
                commissioned its first submarine, the U.S.S. Holland. 
                Few people realized that this vessel would be the first 
                in a long line of innovative and technically 
                sophisticated ships that would launch a new era in our 
                national defense.

                Although early-20th century submarines were small, 
                cramped, and somewhat limited in use, a few visionary 
                American naval leaders recognized their great potential 
                as both offensive and defensive weapons. By the end of 
                World War I, American submarines were patrolling our 
                Nation's coasts and supporting Allied efforts to keep 
                the sea lanes open along the European coast and around 
                the British Isles. In the 1930s, thanks to the 
                determination of submarine force leaders and notable 
                improvements by ship designers and builders, U.S. 
                submarines evolved into a powerful offensive force, 
                equipped with enough fuel, food, and weapons to sustain 
                long-range, independent, open-sea patrols.

                In 1941, when Imperial Japanese forces destroyed much 
                of the U.S. battle fleet in the surprise attack on 
                Pearl Harbor, the U.S. Navy Submarine Force stepped 
                into the breach and played a pivotal role in winning 
                the war in the Pacific. With submerged attacks during 
                daylight hours and surface attacks at night, U.S. 
                submarines inflicted a devastating toll on the Japanese 
                Imperial Navy and merchant marine. By war's end, our 
                submarine force had sunk 30 percent of the enemy's 
                naval force and 60 percent of their merchant ships. But 
                this impressive victory came at a heavy price: the 
                submarine force suffered the highest casualty rate of 
                any component of the U.S. Armed Services. Of the 16,000 
                Americans who served in submarines during the war, more 
                than 3,500 gave their lives.

                As the Cold War dawned, the U.S. Submarine Force once 
                again helped to turn the tide of history, this time by 
                deterring war. In 1954, under the leadership of Admiral 
                Hyman G. Rickover, nuclear power was introduced to the 
                fleet on the U.S.S. Nautilus. Together with advances in 
                hull design, silencing techniques, and sonic detection, 
                nuclear power dramatically improved the speed, stealth, 
                and range of U.S. submarines. By the 1960s, when 
                ballistic missiles were successfully launched from 
                submerged submarines, the U.S. Navy Submarine Force 
                helped protect the Free World from Soviet aggression by 
                conducting reconnaissance missions and by ensuring that 
                the United States could retaliate effectively against 
                any nuclear attack from the Soviet Union or its allies.

                The end of the Cold War, however, did not bring an end 
                to the challenges facing our submarine force, as the 
                outbreak of regional disturbances replaced the threat 
                of all-out nuclear conflict. Modern submarines, with 
                their ability to remain submerged for long periods of 
                time, excel at gathering timely and accurate 
                information about potential trouble spots around the 
                globe. Should the need arise, our submarine force can 
                also exercise powerful offensive capabilities, as it 
                did during Operation Desert Storm in Kuwait and Iraq 
                and Operation Allied Force in Kosovo. Today's 
                submariners continue to build on a proud tradition of 
                service by protecting U.S. interests, defending

[[Page 61258]]

                our freedom and that of our allies, and helping to 
                shape a more peaceful world in the 21st century.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, President of the 
                United States of America, by virtue of the authority 
                vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United 
                States, do hereby proclaim October 12, 2000, as the 
                100th Anniversary of the U.S. Navy Submarine Force. I 
                call upon all Americans to observe this centennial 
                celebration with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and 
                activities in honor of those patriots, past and 
                present, who have played a part in the rich history of 
                the U.S. Navy Submarine Force--from ship designers and 
                builders to logisticians and support personnel to 
                submarine crews and their families--and in tribute to 
                those who gave their lives for our freedom. Because of 
                the vision, dedication, courage, and selflessness of 
                generations of these brave Americans, the United States 
                today has a submarine force second to none, whose 
                unprecedented contributions to intelligence, 
                deterrence, and offensive military capability will 
                continue to serve as a strong pillar of our Nation's 
                security in the years to come.

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                twelfth day of October, in the year of our Lord two 
                thousand, and of the Independence of the United States 
                of America the two hundred and twenty-fifth.

                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 00-26771
Filed 10-16-00; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P