Timothy Bishop

Mr. BISHOP of New York

Mr. BISHOP of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor Rear Admiral (Upper Half) John P. Davis, a native of Shelter Island, New York, who will retire from the U.S. Navy on February 1, 2003 after 35 years of distinguished service to the U.S. Navy and to our nation. Rear Admiral Davis is well known to many members of this body. He has been the Program Executive Officer for Submarines since 1997. In 1998 he also becomes the Deputy Commander, Submarines, helping launch Team Submarine, an innovative organizational structure that unified many submarine-related acquisition and life cycle support entities into a single ``submarine-centric'' organization. The Team Submarine concept of operations is dedicated to eliminating the traditional ``stovepipe'' structures and processes that create impediments and inefficiencies in submarine research, development and acquisition, ensuring that the operational needs of the fleet are met, today and in the decades to come, in an effective and affordable way. Under Admiral Davis' watch, Team Submarine has delivered two Seawolf class submarines and redesigned a third to expand its mission capabilities; started construction of four Virginia class submarines; and brought the transformational SSGN program from concept to full up- and-running program in two years time. He has also overseen the overhaul of over one-third of our submarine fleet, and directed the modernization of submarine warfare systems with economical and easily upgradeable commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS)-based units. Additionally, Admiral Davis has acted as an emissary to allied nations, most notably Australia, and he has helped forge strong relationships with friendly navies to enhance U.S. national security. Admiral Davis began his Navy career in 1964 when he entered the U.S. Naval Academy. Upon his graduation from Annapolis in 1968, Admiral Davis entered the Naval Postgraduate School, where he earned a Master of Science degree in 1969. Following nuclear power training, Admiral Davis held many critical assignments. He served on the USS Pogy (SSN 647) and the USS Daniel Webster (SSBN 626). He also served as the department head and post department head detailer in the Submarine Officer Assignment Office of the Bureau of Naval Personnel. He subsequently returned to sea duty as Executive Officer of the USS Memphis (SSN 691) and later, as Commanding Officer of the USS Jacksonville (SSN 699), which deployed to the Atlantic, Mediterranean, and Indian Oceans. He went on to serve as Deputy Commander of Submarine Squadron Six, during which he also served as Commanding Officer of the USS Glendard P. Lipscomb (SSN 685) for three months during a Mediterranean deployment. From 1989 to 1991, Admiral Davis served as Head, Undersea, and Arctic Warfare Branch in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations. Following completion of the Program Managers Course at the Defense Systems Management College in 1991, he became the Director of Advanced Submarine Research and Development. In September 1992, Admiral Davis became Program Manager of the MK48 ADCAP Advanced Capability Torpedo Program. In July 1996, Admiral Davis became Program Manager for the Undersea Weapons Program Office. Admiral Davis was selected to Flag rank in 1996. In December 1996 he became the Director, Submarine Technology at Naval Sea Systems Command. In August 1997 he was assigned to his current post of Program Executive Office, Submarines. In October 1998 he assumed additional duties as Deputy Commander, Submarines. Admiral Davis was promoted to Rear Admiral (Upper Half) in 1999. He has received numerous military awards including the Legion of Merit with two Gold Stars and the Meritorious Service Medal with one Gold Star. Mr. Speaker, for 35 years the Department of the Navy, the Congress, and the American people have been well served by this dedicated naval officer. Admiral Davis has been instrumental in ensuring that the U.S. submarine force is, and will remain, the world's most preeminent submarine force in the 21st Century. Thus, he leaves an enduring legacy. I am honored to rise today to express appreciation to Admiral Davis for his outstanding service to the nation. I also want to recognize his wife Nancy and his daughters Kate and Tricia for their loyalty and support, which are so necessary in the life of a career naval officer. Mr. Speaker, I know my colleagues join me in wishing Rear Admiral Davis ``fair winds and following seas'' as he concludes a most honorable and distinguished career.

Mr. BISHOP of New York

Mr. BISHOP of New York. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 4, I was unavoidably detained and I would have voted ``no'' on H. Res. 5.