HONORING THE CAREER OF MATTHEW SERMON

On 2026-09-03, Representative Joe Courtney (D-CT-2) delivered a floor speech titled "HONORING THE CAREER OF MATTHEW SERMON" in the House.

HONORING THE CAREER OF MATTHEW SERMON

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 140 (Thursday, September 3, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 140 (Thursday, September 3, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E857] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING THE CAREER OF MATTHEW SERMON _____ HON. JOE COURTNEY of connecticut in the house of representatives Thursday, September 3, 2026 Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the distinguished career of Mr. Matthew Sermon, who is retiring today, Thursday, September 3, 2026, after nearly 30 years of stellar federal service. Mr. Sermon began his extraordinary career as a midshipman at the United States Naval Academy. After graduation from Annapolis, he was commissioned as a Surface Warfare Officer and nuclear engineering officer. During his time at sea, he was deployed to the Middle East during Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, accumulating an impeccable record in uniform. After discharging from active duty, Matt continued his public service with the Navy as a civilian in 2005, focused on revitalizing America's shipbuilding industrial base. He passionately understood that, for the sake of our maritime Nation, the decline of our shipbuilding workforce, infrastructure, and supply chain, which occurred in the wake of the end of the Cold War, needed to be reversed. In that cause, he has made critical contributions to build and support ships, amphibs, destroyers, and most specially submarines. Specifically, these contributions were made while holding various program manager and leadership roles in the Support Ships, Boats, and Craft Programs the International Fleet Support office, for the Zumwalt Class Destroyer, and for the Columbia Class Submarine program. Within these positions, Mr. Sermon managed billions of dollars in funding and hundreds of personnel, all of which was guided by his commitment to the technological advancement and unilateral preeminence of our Nation's Navy. Mr. Speaker, Matt Sermon is a household name within Eastern Connecticut's substantial submarine industrial base. Starting in 2019, as Congress increased funding for the undersea fleet, he managed investment in our submarine suppliers, workforce, and shipyards. Year in and year out, over my 12 years as Chairman and/or Ranking Member of the Seapower and Projection Forces subcommittee, Matt has been a most trusted partner--and leader--in executing Congress' constitutional duty to ``provide and maintain a Navy''. Mr. Sermon completes his more than two decades of civil service as the Executive Director for the Director Reporting Portfolio Manager, Submarines, or DRPMI Subs. His work, alongside Vice Admiral Gaucher, is focused on taking the production of submarine tonnage to record high levels. His dedication and service are admirable and deserving of special recognition. As his time in public service draws to a close, I want to personally attest to the fact that tens of thousands of new, young, energetic metal trades workers, designers, and engineers are today enjoying life-changing careers because of Matt's devoted, talented leadership. I ask that the House join me in celebrating the career of Mr. Matthew Sermon, and in wishing all the best to his family. ____________________