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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