[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 79 (Tuesday, June 21, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: June 21, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
            A TRIBUTE TO THE CREW OF THE U.S.S. ``SARATOGA''

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentlewoman from Florida [Mrs. Fowler] is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mrs. FOWLER. Mr. Speaker, since the days of the great sailing ships, 
Americans have had a deep and abiding affection for their Navy, and 
that affection is shared by the people of northern Florida. In my 
district we have a special relationship with the Navy, and we feel a 
great deal of pride in the ships and crews who are homeported there. 
That is why this Friday, June 24, 1994 will be a bittersweet day for us 
all--because that is the day the Navy's oldest active duty aircraft 
carrier, U.S.S. Saratoga, commanded by Capt. William H. Kennedy, will 
complete her final voyage, returning to Mayport from a 6-month 
deployment to the Mediterranean Sea.
  ``Super Sara'' or simply ``Sara'', as she is affectionately known, is 
home to more than 5,000 superb sailors and aviators. These men have 
been away from their spouses, children, friends, and loved ones for 
over 165 days to ensure that our Nation's interests are being protected 
at sea. We will welcome them back with gratitude for their service and 
gladness for their safe return, but some tears will be shed as we 
reflect upon the fact that the Sara is coming home for the last time.
  Saratoga, the sixth ship to bear that proud name, was launched in 
Brooklyn, NY on October 8, 1955. Since that time, she has been a vital 
part of our Nation's defense, participating in a number of important 
military operations.
  Saratoga patrolled off the coasts of Cuba near Guantanamo Bay during 
the Cuban missile crisis. She was stationed off the coast of Lebanon 
during the Six-Day War. She saw combat in the Tonkin Gulf during the 
Vietnam war and in the Red Sea during the Persian Gulf war, and she was 
the first carrier to transit the Suez Canal by night. A number of 
Saratoga alumni have gone on to distinguish themselves in the best Navy 
tradition. In fact, one of them, Adm. Jeremy Boorda, is now the Chief 
of Naval Operations.
  Saratoga began her final deployment--the 22d of her 38-year career--
on January 12, 1994. Entering the Adriatic on February 1, Saratoga and 
her embarked carrier Airwing 17, commanded by Capt. Philip Howard, 
launched the first of thousands of sorties in support of United Nations 
and NATO operations ``Deny Flight'' and ``Provide Promise'' over Bosnia 
and Herzogovina. She spent nearly 70 days of her 165-day deployment in 
the Adriatic Sea, and her presence did a great deal to ease the 
suffering of those ashore in the former Yugoslavia.
  Saratoga also participated in exercises and operations with other 
U.S. services and allies, including exercise ``Dynamic Impact,'' a 
large scale NATO exercise which included the navies of 12 nations. 
Throughout this deployment Saratoga sailors also served with 
distinction as America's goodwill ambassadors, hosting foreign 
dignitaries and visitors both at sea and in port. In each port, 
Saratoga sailors volunteered their off-duty time to help others 
including spending a day with Bosnian refugees at a camp in Slovenia.
  On June 12, Saratoga turned over the watch to her relief, U.S.S. 
George Washington, our Navy's newest aircraft carrier, enabling the 
United States to maintain a continuous aircraft carrier presence in the 
Mediterranean Sea.
  As you can see, Mr. Speaker, the Sara and her accompanying battle 
group ships have continued to do what we depend on our aircraft 
carriers to do best--provide a continuous and capable forward presence 
to ensure American interests are protected throughout the world. To 
maintain our forward presence, our national security strategy requires 
11 active and 1 operational reserve aircraft carriers, and I believe 
that building CVN-76 is an investment for the future we can afford 
right now. It is the right thing to do and the foundation for essential 
naval force modernization.
  Since she has been an integral part of Navy life in north Florida for 
nearly 30 years, the Jacksonville community has expressed an interest 
in making Jacksonville the final resting place for the Saratoga as a 
naval memorial and museum. As I speak, the ``Save Our Sara'' committee 
in Jacksonville is busy researching the specific steps which must be 
taken to preserve the legacy of this fine warship after her 
decommissioning on August 20.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in saluting the thousands 
of Saratoga sailors who will return from the ship's final deployment 
this Friday, as well as all the sailors who have served aboard this 
great ship during her long and distinguished career. Their sacrifice 
and service have protected our shores and our interests aboard for 38 
years, and they deserve the thanks of a grateful Nation.
  Although the book is about to close on the final chapter of the 
Saratoga's active duty life, many of these individuals will continue to 
serve our Nation aboard other vessels. They will take with them many 
fond memories of life aboard the Sara and in Jacksonville, and I know 
that my colleagues and the people of north Florida join me in wishing 
them fair winds and following seas.

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