; Whereas the nuclear power age following World War II ushered technological advancements in submarine development with the advent of nuclear powered submarines and the arrival of the USS Nautilus (SSN–571), the first nuclear powered vessel in the world, when it was commissioned in 1954 at Naval Submarine Base New London; Whereas the USS George Washington (SSBN–598), the first nuclear ballistic submarine of the United States Navy, created further changes at Naval Submarine Base New London when it was commissioned there in 1959; Whereas, in 2018, Naval Submarine Base New London extends along the east side of the Thames River, occupies approximately 687 acres, and houses more than 160 major facilities and more than 15 nuclear submarines; Whereas Naval Submarine Base New London supports fleet readiness by providing quality service and facilities to its fleet, fighters, and families; Whereas the mission of Naval Submarine Base New London is— (1) to homeport and put submarines to sea; and (2) to support the Submarine Center of Excellence, which trains submariners to take submarines to sea; Whereas nearly every submariner in the United States Navy will be stationed at Naval Submarine Base New London for training, with a potential tour of duty in one of the attack submarines homeported at the installation, or with a pre-commissioning unit for a new submarine under construction at General Dynamics Electric Boat Shipyard in Groton, Connecticut; Whereas Naval Submarine Base New London is home to more than 70 tenant commands and activities including— (1) the Undersea Warfighting Development Center; (2) the Submarine Learning Center; (3) the Naval Submarine School; (4) the Naval Submarine Medical Research Laboratory; and (5) the Naval Undersea Medical Institute; Whereas Naval Submarine Base New London is one of the largest employers in southeastern Connecticut and employs more than 9,500 active duty, reserve, and civilian personnel