[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 23 (Thursday, March 3, 2005)]
[House]
[Page H946]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              HOMECOMING OF USS ``LINCOLN'' CARRIER GROUP

  (Mr. LARSEN of Washington asked and was given permission to address 
the House for 1 minute.)
  Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor the 
service of the sailors and Marine Corps of the USS Abraham Lincoln 
Carrier Strike Group who bravely and compassionately served the Nation 
and the world in the Western Pacific and Indian Ocean in the wake of 
December's tragic tsunami.
  These women and men began their new year by delivering vital food, 
water, and medicine around the clock to the people of Southeast Asia 
and the Indian Ocean. They showed the world the values that we 
represent and why this country is so great.
  From January 1 until February 4, carrier group aircraft flew over 
1,700 missions in support of Operation Unified Assistance, carrying 
almost 6 million pounds of supplies. Over 1,200 crew mechanics from the 
group volunteered to go ashore and help.
  Tomorrow I will attend the USS Lincoln and USS Shoup homecoming to 
Everett Washington. The VAQ 131 Prowler Squadron out of NAS Whidbey, 
the Lancers, just returned; and they are all part of Operation Unified 
Assistance.
  Tomorrow, with their return, will be a great day for our country, a 
great day for our Navy and Marine Corps and for their families to 
celebrate.

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