[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 979 Introduced in House (IH)]

<DOC>






116th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 979

 Commending the efforts and honoring the work of the men and women of 
  the USNS Comfort, the USNS Mercy, and the United States Navy in the 
 response to those affected by the COVID-19 outbreaks in Los Angeles, 
                  California, and New York, New York.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                              May 22, 2020

Mr. Reschenthaler (for himself, Mr. Garcia of California, Mr. Cook, Ms. 
 Stefanik, and Mr. Calvert) submitted the following resolution; which 
 was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition 
  to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently 
   determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such 
 provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 Commending the efforts and honoring the work of the men and women of 
  the USNS Comfort, the USNS Mercy, and the United States Navy in the 
 response to those affected by the COVID-19 outbreaks in Los Angeles, 
                  California, and New York, New York.

Whereas the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), a deadly respiratory virus, 
        originated in the People's Republic of China and spread to the United 
        States, infecting and killing tens of thousands of American citizens;
Whereas large cities on the East and West Coasts of the United States faced 
        difficult challenges battling COVID-19, especially in densely populated 
        urban centers;
Whereas President Donald J. Trump and Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Mike 
        Gilday ordered the hospital ships, United States Naval Ship 
        (hereinafter, ``USNS'') Mercy (T-AH-19) and USNS Comfort (T-AH-20), to 
        deploy to the front lines of the COVID-19 response in New York, New 
        York, and Los Angeles, California;
Whereas the Military Sealift Command hospital ship USNS Mercy arrived into the 
        Port of Los Angeles on March 27, 2020, and her 800-plus crew treated a 
        total of 77 patients and assisted with care at nearby medical facilities 
        in the greater Los Angeles area;
Whereas the Military Sealift Command hospital ship USNS Comfort moored at 
        Manhattan's pier 90 in New York, New York, on March 30, 2020, and 1,200 
        personnel treated a total of 182 patients before returning to Naval 
        Station Norfolk;
Whereas Rear Admiral Mustin, Vice Commander of the United States Fleet Forces 
        Command, stated, ``The last time that this great hospital ship was here 
        was in the wake of 9/11, where she served as respite and comfort for our 
        first responders working around the clock'';
Whereas Captain Patrick Amersbach stated regarding the USNS Comfort, ``We were 
        the busiest ICU in the Department of Defense over the past month'' and 
        that at least 70 percent of patients were COVID-19 positive;
Whereas the USNS Comfort and USNS Mercy's primary mission is to provide an 
        afloat, mobile, and acute surgical medical facility to the United States 
        military that is flexible, capable, and uniquely adaptable to support 
        expeditionary warfare;
Whereas the USNS Comfort and USNS Mercy's secondary mission is to provide full 
        hospital services to support disaster relief and humanitarian operations 
        worldwide; and
Whereas active duty, reserve, and civilian personnel fulfilled the mission 
        status motto of ``ready five'' as the ships responded quickly in order 
        to complete the critical mission of fighting COVID-19: Now, therefore, 
        be it
    Resolved, That it is the sense of the House of Representatives to--
            (1) express its deepest condolences and sympathy to the 
        family and friends for those who lost loved ones during the 
        COVID-19 pandemic;
            (2) commend the health care workers and first responders 
        who have provided relief, sacrifice, and care for those fallen 
        ill from COVID-19; and
            (3) commend the efforts and honor the work of the men and 
        women of the USNS Mercy, USNS Comfort, and the members of the 
        Armed Forces and civilians who deployed rapidly to New York and 
        California to those affected by this pandemic.
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