08-R194

2008 -- H 8228

Enacted 04/30/08

H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N

DECLARING OCTOBER 6TH 2008 TO BE UNITED STATES SUBMARINE VETERAN'S DAY IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

Introduced By: Representatives Carter, Loughlin, Almeida, Gemma, and Gallison

Date Introduced: April 30, 2008

     WHEREAS, On October 6, 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. Many of the submarines that would serve America in peace and in war, were built at

Quonset Point in North Kingstown, Rhode Island; and

     WHEREAS, 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 1930's, 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; and

     WHEREAS, 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 forces. By war's end, our submarine force had sunk

thirty 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; and

     WHEREAS, 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 C. 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 1960's, 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; and

     WHEREAS, 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, and continues today with Operation Iraqi Freedom. Today's submarines

continue to build on a proud tradition of service by protecting U.S. interests, defending our

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

now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and

Providence Plantations hereby declares October 6th, 2008 to be United States Submarine

Veteran's Day in Rhode Island; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and he hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Mr. Charles J. Mueller.

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LC02832

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