[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 116 (Thursday, August 1, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Page S9439]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            SENATE RESOLUTION 286--TO COMMEND OPERATION SAIL

  Mr. DODD (for himself, Mr. D'Amato, Mr. Lieberman, Mr. Moynihan, Mr. 
Warner, Mr. Robb, Mr. Bradley, and Mr. Lautenberg) submitted the 
following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the 
Judiciary:

                              S. Res. 286

       Whereas Operation Sail is a nonprofit corporation dedicated 
     to building good will among nations and encouraging 
     international camaraderie;
       Whereas Operation Sail has represented and promoted the 
     United States of America in the international tall ship 
     community since 1964, organizing and participating in 
     numerous tall ship events across the United States and around 
     the world;
       Whereas Operation Sail has worked in partnership with every 
     American President since President John F. Kennedy;
       Whereas Operation Sail has established a great tradition of 
     celebrating major events and milestones in United States 
     history with a gathering of the world's tall ships, and will 
     continue this great tradition with a gathering of ships in 
     New York Harbor on July 3 through July 8, 2000, called OpSail 
     2000, to mark the 224th birthday of the United States of 
     America and to welcome the new millennium;
       Whereas President Clinton has endorsed OpSail 2000, as 
     Presidents Kennedy, Carter, Reagan, and Bush have endorsed 
     Operation Sail in previous endeavors;
       Whereas OpSail 2000 promises to be the largest gathering in 
     history of tall ships and other majestic vessels like those 
     that have sailed the ocean for centuries;
       Whereas in conjunction with OpSail 2000, the United States 
     Navy will conduct an International Naval Review; and
       Whereas the International Naval Review will include a naval 
     aircraft carrier as a symbol of the international good will 
     of the United States of America: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) commends Operation Sail for its advancement of 
     brotherhood among nations, its continuing commemoration of 
     the history of the United States, and its nurturing of young 
     cadets through training in seamanship;
       (2) encourages all Americans and citizens of nations around 
     the world to join in the celebration of the 224th birthday of 
     the United States of America and the international 
     camaraderie that Operation Sail and the International Naval 
     Review will foster; and
       (3) encourages Operation Sail to continue into the next 
     millennium to represent and promote the United States of 
     America in the international tall ship community, and to 
     continue organizing and participating in tall ship events 
     across the United States and around the world.

  Mr. DODD. Mr. President, it is my pleasure to rise today to submit a 
very special resolution in anticipation of OpSail 2000 and in 
recognition of the Operation Sail organization that has made events 
such as OpSail 2000 possible.
  Mr. President, I am sure that many of my colleagues remember the 
glorious New York Harbor gatherings of the world's tall ships to mark 
several milestones in America's history: OpSail '76 celebrated the 
bicentennial of the Nation; OpSail '86 marked the centennial of the 
Statue of Liberty; and OpSail '92 commemorated the 500th anniversary of 
Columbus' discovery of the ``new world.''
  In 2000, this grand tradition will continue. America, and indeed the 
entire world, will again be treated to the spectacular display of 
international friendship that is OpSail. OpSail 2000 will take place 
July 3-July 8, 2000 in New York Harbor to mark the 224th birthday of 
the United States of America and to welcome the new millennium. It is 
expected to be the largest gathering in history of the tall ships and 
other majestic vessels like those that have sailed the ocean for 
centuries.
  As a symbol of good will of the United States of America, the U.S. 
Navy will conduct an International Naval Review, which will include a 
naval aircraft carrier. OpSail 2000 is endorsed by President Clinton, 
just as Presidents Kennedy, Carter, Reagan and Bush endorsed Operation 
Sail's previous endeavors.
  Much like the Olympic games our country is currently hosting, OpSail 
events and Operation Sail are dedicated to building good will among 
nations, encouraging international camaraderie, and nurturing the 
leadership and athleticism of young people through training in 
seamanship. Furthermore, OpSail events and Operation Sail continually 
commemorate major events in the history of the United States, working 
in partnership with every American President since John F. Kennedy and 
representing and promoting the United States of America in the 
international tall ship community.
  Mr. President, this resolution honors the tradition of the OpSail 
events--the advancement of international friendship and the celebration 
of milestones in U.S. history--and I urge my colleagues to embrace that 
tradition by supporting this resolution.

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