[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 6 (Wednesday, January 26, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E104]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              H.R. 304--AIRCRAFT CARRIER END-STRENGTH ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ANDER CRENSHAW

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 26, 2005

  Mr. CRENSHAW. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak on H.R. 304, a bill 
I introduced in the name of national security. This bill would set in 
law a requirement that our United States Navy maintain a fleet of at 
least twelve aircraft carriers.
  Why, my colleagues might ask, is this change in law necessary? I 
believe the reason is clear. Our Nation is enduring an extraordinary 
amount of pressures, both financially and militarily. Somehow, Mr. 
Speaker, those financial pressures have weighed so heavy on our 
military leaders that they feel forced to propose a reduction in the 
number of carriers available to our Commander in Chief.
  Mr. Speaker, the military might of the United States is unmatched. It 
is unmatched, Mr. Speaker, because no other Nation faces the challenges 
we face. And that is why I have introduced this legislation. Our unique 
challenges require force strength, flexibility, and presence. This is 
not my lesson; this is the lesson of past military conflicts.
  The consistent message from senior Department of Defense leadership 
is that many of the important tactical missions accomplished in 
Afghanistan and Iraq would not have been possible without our fleet of 
aircraft carriers.
  Aircraft carriers are in constant demand all over the globe. There is 
no technology, no way they can be in two places at the same time.
  The Navy's CNO himself believes even with the technological advances, 
quantity has a quality all its own.
  So this legislation, H.R. 304, will ensure that our Nation's 
Commander in Chief has a full fleet of carriers in times of peace, and 
in times of crisis. My colleagues, I urge you to support H.R. 304, 
support our carrier fleet, and support keeping the fabric of our 
national security whole.

                          ____________________