[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 122 (Tuesday, September 26, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1840]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        IN RECOGNITION OF FORT LAUDERDALE'S LONE SAILOR MEMORIAL

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                         HON. E. CLAY SHAW, JR.

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 26, 2006

  Mr. SHAW. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Fort Lauderdale 
Council of the Navy League of the United States for their successful 
campaign to locate a Lone Sailor Statue on Fort Lauderdale's Riverwalk.
  The Fort Lauderdale Council has been greeting military ships of all 
Navies arriving in Port Everglades for over 50 years, earning a 
reputation for Fort Lauderdale as the 'best liberty Port in the world'. 
Although Fort Lauderdale is not home to a major Navy facility, it is 
rich in naval history. During World War II, pilots including former 
President George Bush, trained at the old Fort Lauderdale Naval Air 
Station. During my tenure in Congress, I have had the privilege of 
participating in two ship commissioning ceremonies at Port Everglades. 
It is a fact: the Navy loves Fort Lauderdale and Fort Lauderdale loves 
the Navy.
  With this strong relationship with the Navy, members of the Council, 
including former Congressman George Wortley, felt it was time to join 
eight other communities around the country and bring a Lone Sailor 
statue to South Florida. They committed to raising $250,000 to obtain 
the statue, prepare the site and cover other related expenses. They 
successfully petitioned the City of Fort Lauderdale to approve a 
permanent home for the 'sailor' on Fort Lauderdale's Riverwalk.
  On Saturday, October 14th, 2006, I look forward to joining members of 
the Fort Lauderdale Council and our South Florida community to dedicate 
the Lone Sailor statue. Cast in bronze, the statue is composed of 2 
pieces: the sailor who stands 7 feet tall and weighs approximately 
1,000 lbs. and his sea bag and cleat weighing 700 lbs. During the 
casting process, the bronze is mixed with artifacts from eight U.S. 
Navy ships which span the Navy's history. It is a fitting tribute to 
the men and women of the sea service.
  Mr. Speaker, I commend the members of the Fort Lauderdale Council of 
the Navy League of the United States for their commitment to this 
wonderful project. The Lone Sailor Statue will stand as a symbol of the 
esteem in which this community holds the members of the sea services: 
Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, U.S.-Flag Merchant Marine.

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