[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 68 (Friday, May 26, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Page S5340]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page S5340]]
   IN RECOGNITION OF THE UNITED STATES COAST GUARD CUTTER ICEBREAKER 
                       ``MACKINAW'' AND HER CREW

 Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, it is with great pride that I pay 
tribute to the United States Coast Guard Cutter Icebreaker Mackinaw on 
her 62 years of exceptional service on the Great Lakes. The Coast 
Guard's largest cutter assigned to the Great Lakes, the Mackinaw will 
be decommissioned on Saturday, June 10, 2006. The power and majesty of 
the Mackinaw have made her a unique and awe-inspiring cutter, setting a 
high standard by which other icebreakers are measured.
  Construction of the Mackinaw began on March 20, 1943, by the Toledo 
Shipbuilding Company of Ohio. With the Great Lakes serving as a vital 
link for industry and commerce, the Coast Guard needed a vessel that 
could accomplish in one pass what took smaller icebreakers three or 
four passes to accomplish. Out of this need was born the legendary 
``Mighty Mac.'' At a length of 290 feet, a beam of 74 feet, a 
displacement of 5,252 tons, and a maximum speed of 16 knots, the 
Mackinaw was the most powerful icebreaker in the world when she was 
commissioned on December 20, 1944.
  In the years since then, the Mackinaw has served proudly on the Great 
Lakes, with Cheboygan, Michigan, as her home port. In addition to her 
mission of breaking ice in the fall and spring, the Mackinaw has been 
called upon to serve as a buoy tender, carry fuel and supplies to light 
stations, serve as a training vessel and assist vessels in distress 
when necessary. The Mackinaw has completed all of these duties with 
distinction.
  Along the way, the Mackinaw has captured the imagination of the 
people of the Great Lakes, and they call her by many names: ``The 
Mighty Mac,'' ``Big Mac,'' ``Ice Cream Machine,'' ``Great White 
Mother,'' ``Mack Attack,'' ``Guardian of the Eighth Sea,'' and ``Grand 
Lady of the Great Lakes.''
  The great success of the Mackinaw is due, not only to the 
capabilities of the vessel herself, but also to her crew. Over the last 
62 years, more then 3,000 men and women have served this country aboard 
the Mackinaw. These men and women should be saluted for their 
dedication, hard work, and tireless efforts in protecting and securing 
the safe passage of vessels on the Great Lakes.
  The crew of the Mackinaw is also to be commended for their volunteer 
efforts. Since 2000, the Mackinaw has taken on the special mission of 
acting as Chicago's Christmas Ship. Each December, the crew makes the 
350 mile trip from Cheboygan, Michigan to Chicago, Illinois, bringing 
Christmas trees to be distributed to disadvantaged families in Chicago. 
Since its inception, this program has provided more than 6,000 trees to 
families in need during the holiday season.
  On the eve of her decommissioning, I would like to praise the United 
States Coast Guard Cutter Icebreaker Mackinaw for her 62 years of 
service on the Great Lakes. And I thank the current and former crew of 
this great ship for their service and commitment. The Mackinaw will be 
long remembered for a job well done.

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