[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 856 Engrossed in House (EH)]

H. Res. 856

                In the House of Representatives, U. S.,

                                                      November 4, 2009.
Whereas, on September 11, 2001, terrorists hijacked four civilian aircraft, 
        crashing two of them into the twin towers of the World Trade Center in 
        New York City, a third into the Pentagon, and a fourth near Shanksville, 
        Pennsylvania;
Whereas nearly 3,000 people were killed on September 11, 2001, in the most 
        lethal terrorist attack ever committed against the United States;
Whereas then-Governor George Pataki requested the Navy name a ship involved in 
        counterterrorism efforts after the State of New York shortly after 
        September 11, 2001;
Whereas, on September 6, 2002, the Secretary of the Navy announced the name of 
        the fifth vessel of the San Antonio-class Amphibious Transport Dock 
        ships would be named USS New York LPD 21;
Whereas, on March 1, 2008, the USS New York LPD 21 was christened at the 
        Avondale Shipyard in Avondale, Louisiana, by Mrs. Dotty England, in a 
        ceremony attended by officials of the New York City fire and police 
        departments as well as surviving family and friends of those lost on 
        September 11, 2001;
Whereas the USS New York LPD 21's bow is comprised of 7.5 tons of steel forged 
        from the wreckage of the World Trade Center and erected onto the vessel 
        in conjunction with a dignified ceremony conducted on September 9, 2003, 
        and attended by officials of the New York City fire and police 
        departments as well as surviving family and friends of those lost on 
        September 11, 2001;
Whereas the USS New York LPD 21 is the newest entry to the Navy's fleet of San 
        Antonio-class Amphibious Transport Dock (LPD) warships;
Whereas the USS New York LPD 21 will serve as an integral part of Navy and 
        Marine Corps Expeditionary Strike Groups and will be able to deploy 700 
        Marines and associated equipment of the Strike Group Marine 
        Expeditionary Unit;
Whereas the USS New York LPD 21's primary mission will be to deploy amphibious 
        assault capability anywhere in the world, on short notice, and that this 
        force is the only force in the United States Armed Forces with such 
        capability, and that such amphibious operation is central and key to 
        suppression of terrorist organizations;
Whereas the USS New York LPD 21 displaces 24,900 tons at sea, with the 
        capability of cruising at speeds in excess of 22 knots;
Whereas everyday, the men and women of the United States Armed Forces continue 
        global efforts to protect and defend the United States;
Whereas nearly 10 percent of the commissioning crew of USS New York LPD 21 hail 
        from the Empire State;
Whereas the USS New York LPD 21 has a main passageway dubbed ``Broadway'', the 
        ship's insignia references the Statue of Liberty, the Twin Towers, the 
        New York Police Department, and the Fire Department of New York, and the 
        galley features a pre-9/11 neon outline of the city;
Whereas the motto of the USS New York LPD 21 is ``Strength Forged Through 
        Sacrifice. Never Forget''; and
Whereas the USS New York LPD 21 will be officially commissioned November 7, 
        2009, Commander F. Curtis Jones, United States Navy, commanding, a 
        native son of New York, in New York waters on Pier 88 on the West Side 
        of New York City next to the USS Intrepid CV 11: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) recognizes the commissioning of the USS New York LPD 21;
            (2) congratulates the captain and commissioning crew of the USS New 
        York LPD 21 on the occasion of their vessel entering into the service of 
        the United States Navy;
            (3) recognizes the sacrifices made by the men and women in uniform 
        who put themselves in harm's way in order to protect and defend the 
        United States;
            (4) honors those who lost their lives at the World Trade Center, the 
        Pentagon, and Shanksville, Pennsylvania, on September 11, 2001; and
            (5) recommits itself to the counter-terrorism mission of the USS New 
        York LPD 21 and all the members of the United States Armed Forces.
            Attest:

                                                                          Clerk.