[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 136 (Friday, September 27, 1996)]
[House]
[Pages H11546-H11547]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
COMMENDING OPERATION SAIL
Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to take from the
Speaker's table the Senate joint resolution (S.J. Res. 64) to commend
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, and ask for
its immediate consideration in the House.
The Clerk read the title of the Senate joint resolution.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from New York?
Ms. DeLAURO. Reserving the right to object, Mr. Speaker, I yield to
the gentleman from New York [Mr. Gilman] for an explanation of the
legislation.
Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, this resolution commends Operation Sail for
its advancement of international cooperation among nations, for its
continuing commemoration of the history of the United States and its
contribution to the training of young cadets in the skills of
seamanship.
The bill encourages all Americans and citizens of the world to join
in the celebration of the 224th birthday of the United States.
Equally important, it encourages continued American participation in
the international tall ship community and in tall ship events across
the United States and the world.
Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of my Republican
colleague's request to pass Senate Joint Resolution 64 by unanimous
consent request. Senate Joint Resolution 64 is a bipartisan resolution
honoring the Operation Sail Organization and OpSail 2000, an
international gathering of tall ships that will take place in New York
Harbor to celebrate the 224th birthday of the United States and to
welcome the new millennium.
This glorious event follows the tradition of the previous OpSail
events: OpSail '76 which celebrated the bicentennial of the Nation;
OpSail '86 which celebrated the centennial of the Statue of Liberty;
and, OpSail '92 which celebrated the 500th anniversary of Columbus'
discovery of North America. Operation Sail has worked in cooperation
with every President of the United States since John F. Kennedy, and
all OpSail events have been endorsed by the President of the United
States at that time.
OpSail 2000 is expected to be the largest gathering of tall ships in
history, and it will foster international good will and the advancement
of brotherhood among nations. In addition, OpSail 2000 will showcase
the beautiful Connecticut coast of the Long Island Sound for all the
world to see. We look forward to this exciting even of which all
Americans can be proud.
Mr. Speaker, further reserving the right to object, I yield to the
gentleman from Connecticut [Mr. Shays].
Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Speaker, just to add my voice to this resolution, it
is truly bipartisan, Mr. Dodd and Mr. D'Amato in the Senate and others,
and just to say that this is an exciting opportunity for this country.
[[Page H11547]]
Operation Sail expects the largest gathering of tall sailing ships
ever to be assembled, and I thank my colleague from New York for
helping to bring this out.
Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I withdraw my reservation of objection.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from New York?
There was no objection.
The Clerk read the Senate joint resolution, as follows:
S.J. Res. 64
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, called OpSail 2000, to celebrate 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 by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled, That--
(1) Operation Sail is commended 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) all Americans and citizens of nations around the world
are encouraged 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) Operation Sail is encouraged 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.
The Senate joint resolution was ordered to be read a third time, was
read a third time, and passed, and a motion to reconsider was laid on
the table.
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