[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 650 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

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118th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 650

 Recognizing the anniversary of the establishment of the United States 
Naval Construction Force, known as the ``Seabees'', and the tremendous 
sacrifices and contributions by the Seabees who have fought and served 
                       on behalf of our country.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             April 18, 2024

Mr. Whitehouse (for himself, Mr. Wicker, Mr. Reed, and Mrs. Hyde-Smith) 
submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee 
                           on Armed Services

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 Recognizing the anniversary of the establishment of the United States 
Naval Construction Force, known as the ``Seabees'', and the tremendous 
sacrifices and contributions by the Seabees who have fought and served 
                       on behalf of our country.

Whereas, on January 5, 1942, the first United States Naval Construction units 
        were authorized by the Department of the Navy;
Whereas, on March 5, 1942, the United States Naval Construction Force (referred 
        to in this preamble as ``Seabees'') was granted official permission by 
        the Navy to use the name ``Seabees'';
Whereas, in 1942, Frank J. Iafrate, a native of North Providence, Rhode Island, 
        who later joined the Seabees as a Chief Carpenter's Mate, designed the 
        ``Fighting Bee'' logo that is still used by the Seabees in 2024;
Whereas, for more than 80 years, the Seabees have built bases, airfields, roads, 
        bridges, fueling stations, and other infrastructure, both on land and 
        underwater, in support of the Navy and Marine Corps;
Whereas the motto of the Seabees, ``Construimus, Batuimus'', Latin for ``We 
        Build, We Fight'', reflects the indispensable dual role of the Seabees 
        in building critical warfighting infrastructure and defending the United 
        States in combat;
Whereas the ingenuity, improvisation, and entrepreneurial spirit of the Seabees 
        has given the Armed Forces a strategic advantage and contributed to 
        countless successes on the battlefield for the United States since World 
        War II;
Whereas the Seabees have served as goodwill ambassadors across the globe, 
        performing humanitarian and civic action projects to--

    (1) improve access to sanitation, drinking water, and utilities;

    (2) build schools, hospitals, and roads; and

    (3) provide emergency relief in the aftermath of major disasters;

Whereas, with courage, creativity, and a ``can-do'' attitude, the Seabees have 
        helped to build both critical infrastructure and valued friendships 
        around the world; and
Whereas March 5, 2024, is the 82nd anniversary of the establishment of the 
        Seabees: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) acknowledges and expresses thanks for the thousands of 
        members of the United States Naval Construction Force (referred 
        to in this resolution as ``Seabees'') who, through ingenuity, 
        strength, courage, and perseverance, have protected the United 
        States and improved the lives of countless people in the United 
        States and around the world;
            (2) honors the courage and sacrifices of those members of 
        the Seabees who have perished in defense of the United States;
            (3) expresses unending gratitude for the many sacrifices 
        made by the families of members of the Seabees; and
            (4) proudly recognizes the 82nd anniversary of the 
        establishment of the Seabees.
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