[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 5] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages 6396-6397] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]HONORING 108 YEARS OF SILENT SERVICE ______ HON. JOE COURTNEY of connecticut in the house of representatives Thursday, April 17, 2008 Mr. COURTNEY. Madam Speaker, last week, I had the honor of participating in a wreath laying ceremony at the United States Navy Memorial to mark the 108th anniversary of the submarine force. The ceremony, held in front of the memorial's ``Lone Soldier,'' was a moving tribute to the proud heritage of our submarine force and the dedicated submariners who have silently protected our Nation for more than 100 years. And, over the last weekend, I was proud to attend Naval Submarine Base New London's annual submarine birthday ball. For over a century, sailors have embarked on dangerous service in a place where human life was never meant to exist in order to silently protect our Nation. There is an irony to the fact that while our Nation owes much of its security over the past century to the submarine force, most Americans will never truly know all that the ``silent service'' has done to protect us. 2008 is an especially important year in the history of the submarine force, as it marks the 50th anniversary of the USS Nautilus' (SSN-571) journey across the North Pole in 1958, an unprecedented achievement by our sailors at a critical time for our Nation. The men aboard her on her historic journey set the pace for all those who followed in their footsteps. Much has changed about our submarine force and the role of our submariners since the USS Holland (SS-1) first set sail in 1900. In World War I and World War II, our submarines were not much more than surface ships that could submerge for a short period before surfacing. Yet, in very dangerous conditions and with high casualty rates, submariners sank an estimated 6 million tons of enemy merchant ships and sank nearly one-third of the Japanese Navy's warships. The cost of their efforts were high: 52 submarines and over 3,600 men, at a rate of nearly one in four, were lost in the war. But their sacrifice helped bring us to victory and proved the submarine's role in the defense of our Nation. In the Cold War, submariners played a key role as a critical strategic deterrent in our protracted struggle with the Soviet Union. Silently patrolling in waters across the world, our attack and ballistic missile submarine crews helped to secure an uneasy peace by ensuring that we were ready to respond at any moment. There were no victory medals when it was over, no parades for the countless young men who served on these critical yet silent front lines, but there is no doubt our Nation is forever indebted to them and the era they helped us overcome. And, as the Cold War ended and new challenges emerged, the modern attack submarine fleet, consisting of the Los Angeles- and Virginia- class, emerged as our Nation's front line defense Today, our submariners are no less critical than the eras preceding us. We use submarines extensively around the globe, using their stealth to covertly gather intelligence briefed at the highest levels of our government. They are adapting and growing to meeting the security challenges of the 21st century, and every day they remind us that submarines are, and will remain, at the core of our Nation's defense. From the Holland, to the Nautilus, and to the newest boats in the fleet, the USS North Carolina (SSN-777) and USS New Hampshire (SSN- 778), the capabilities and technologies on board may have changed dramatically, but one thing has always stayed the same: The strength of any submarine has always come down to those who command and serve aboard her. In my travels over the past year, I have met countless commanding officers and sailors--many of them young men doing some of the most important work on behalf of our security--who selflessly dedicate their lives in dangerous service. Our sailors serve in the harshest of conditions around the globe, on long tours away from their families literally stacked on top of their crewmates, often cut off from the rest of the world. They make up the smallest portion of our Navy and their achievements are most often secret. But, there is no doubt that each and every one of them loves what they do on behalf of the security of our Nation. Every submariner today serves upon the foundation built by those that came before them. At the core of their service over the past century has been a legacy is one of devotion, [[Page 6397]] bravery and innovation. Without a doubt, today's submarine force is living up to that legacy and building one of their own for those who come after them to follow. This is an exciting time for the submarine force. It is a time of great possibility and of new challenges. But, after spending time with sailors in the mess hall of a submarine submerged below the ice to building relationships with officers at the top of the chain of command, I am confident that our submariners will continue the proud legacy built by those who came before them. I ask all my colleagues to join with me in extending our deep appreciation to those who have, and continue to, silently serve our Nation, their families, and to all our Armed Forces serving today around the globe. ____________________