[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 16 (Wednesday, February 23, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: February 23, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
              AUTHORIZING CONVEYANCE OF U.S.S. ``SPHINX''

                                 ______


                         HON. SOLOMON P. ORTIZ

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 23, 1994

  Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing legislation to 
authorize the conveyance of the U.S.S. Sphinx to the Rio Grande 
Military Museum in Port Isabel, TX for use as an all wars service 
museum.
  The U.S.S. Sphinx is an amphibious vessel that first saw action 
during World War II. In all, the Sphinx has received nine battle stars 
and has served in three wars. It is now the last of its kind and 
deserves preservation. This vessel was transferred from the Department 
of Defense to the Department of Transportation, where it has been set 
aside for potential donation to a State for use as an artificial reef. 
My bill would instead authorize the Secretary of Transportation to 
convey the vessel to the Rio Grande Military Museum for use as a museum 
and tourist attraction to be located in the Port Isabel-South Padre 
Island area.
  The cost of this conveyance would be taken up by the museum and the 
legislation specifically states that the movement and transfer of the 
vessel will be without cost to the Federal Government. Furthermore, the 
bill stipulates that the museum, an established not-for-profit 
corporation, shall demonstrate sufficient financial resources prior to 
conveyance.
  Mr. Speaker, the benefits and value of this transfer and of the 
creation of this museum are numerous. The vessel will serve as a 
physical monument to the numerous individuals who served on the U.S.S. 
Sphinx and similar vessels in defense of our Nation. Its location will 
allow it to serve not only as a thriving tourist attraction for the 
numerous visitors that come to South Padre Island each year, but also 
as a reunion location for a number of military veterans groups from 
throughout the country that have expressed a strong interest in the 
project. In addition, the vessel and its equipment on board will be 
available for emergency readiness in case a natural disaster such as a 
hurricane strikes the area. Finally, museum officials intend to use the 
vessel as the vehicle for a youth vocational training program that will 
engage young people from the community in research and restoration 
projects aboard ship and in the construction and exhibition of the 
museum.
  Mr. Speaker, this bill will allow the U.S.S. Sphinx to serve one last 
important mission: To preserve for future generations the valiant 
efforts and deeds of the U.S.S. Sphinx and its crew and to actively 
engage the youth of the area in this process. This no-cost-to-the-
Government transfer will provide a fitting end to the U.S.S. Sphinx' 
honorable service record and I urge my colleagues to support this bill. 
Thank you.

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