[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 130 (Monday, October 11, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1912]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING DENNIS CONNER, A WORLD-RENOWED SAILOR, ON HIS RESTORATION OF 
               THE LEGENDARY YACHT ``COTTON BLOSSOM II''

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOHN B. SHADEGG

                               of arizona

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 8, 2004

  Mr. SHADEGG. Mr. Speaker, it is with profound pleasure that I rise to 
commend to the Nation Dennis Conner, of America's Cup fame, an 
outstanding American yachtsman, competitor and sailing icon, in 
admiration and appreciation of his magnificent restoration of the 
historic wooden yacht Cotton Blossom II. Mr. Conner's expertise and 
dedication to preserving yachting history are to be commended. His 
extraordinary efforts are a testament to his uncompromising devotion to 
excellence and authenticity.
  Thanks to Dennis Conner's vision and generosity, Cotton Blossom II is 
an elegantly restored masterpiece that honors our country's rich 
yachting heritage and the classic art of wooden boat building.
  Cotton Blossom II was designed in 1924 by Johan Anker, the leading 
``Q'' Boat designer of the time. She was built for Lawrence Percival of 
Boston at the Jensen Shipyard near Oslo, Norway. Leonore, as she was 
first named, was delivered to Marblehead in October 1925. She was later 
sold to Walter Wheeler and christened Cotton Blossom II. Wheeler 
campaigned her with great success out of Stamford, CT. Among her many 
racing victories were the Vineyard Race and the Astor Cup for the New 
York Yacht Club. She was named the NYYC Boat of the Year in 1939, and 
her half model is displayed in the Club's Model Room.
  Twenty-three years later, this well-designed yacht continued to win 
major races under the stewardship of owners Ed and Gloria Turner of the 
San Diego Yacht Club. Cotton Blossom II successfully spanned the 
dramatic changes that had taken place in the sport since the 1920s as 
she became a familiar sight winning all the major races at the club, 
including the Lipton Trophy, and was named SDYC Boat of the Year in 
1963. Her half model is displayed in the club today.
  As a young man and rising star in the sailing world, Dennis Conner 
sailed extensively on Cotton Blossom II. When he had the good fortune 
of acquiring Cotton Blossom II, Mr. Conner assembled a team of the 
finest craftsmen and shipbuilders to restore her with meticulous care 
to her original condition.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and my colleagues in the People's House 
join me in commending Dennis Conner and his talented team of skilled 
craftsmen for preserving U.S. maritime history with the restoration of 
the legendary wooden yacht Cotton Blossom II.

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