[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 171 (Wednesday, November 18, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2795]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       HONORING THE COMMISSIONING OF THE USS ``NEW YORK,'' LPD 21

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOE COURTNEY

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 18, 2009

  Mr. COURTNEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 
commissioning of the USS New York, LPD 21. On October 22, 2009, the 
House passed H.R. 856 to congratulate the captain and commissioning 
crew for the vessel entering the service of the U.S. Navy. The USS New 
York honors those who lost their lives at the World Trade Center, the 
Pentagon, and Shanksville, Pennsylvania, on September 11, 2001, and 
adds to our Navy's capabilities to protect our Nation.
  With its hull constructed using steel from the World Trade Center, 
the ship will serve as a memorial to September 11. The ship's main 
passageway was dubbed ``Broadway'' and features an insignia with 
references to the Statue of Liberty, the Twin Towers, the New York City 
Police Department, and the New York City Fire Department. Its galley 
hosts a pre-September 11 neon outline of New York City. It is the 
newest entry to the U.S. Navy's fleet of San Antonio-class amphibious 
transport dock ships and will be deployed to provide amphibious assault 
capability anywhere in the world. CDR F. Curtis Jones, USN, a New York 
native, captains the ship.
  I also want to take a moment to recognize an important connection 
between the USS New York and my State. RSL Fiber Systems, LLC of East 
Hartford, Connecticut was proud to be a part of this project, 
manufacturing the signal and navigation lights used on board the 
vessel. The ship contains five RSL lighting systems, which boast the 
breakthrough technology of fiber optic illumination systems. The 
Connecticut based company was selected to provide remote source 
lighting and the lighting control systems to the U.S. Navy for 
shipboard use on the LPD 17 class, the Navy Experimental Craft 
Seafighter, and the DDG 1000 class ships.
  The ship's motto is, ``Strength Forged Through Sacrifice. Never 
Forget,'' serving as a powerful symbol of September 11. The vessel pays 
tribute to those who lost their lives and reaffirms Congress's 
commitment to fighting terrorism and recognizing those men and women 
who risk their lives and fight for our freedom every day. I ask all of 
my colleagues to join with me in congratulating those who helped build 
the ship, and honoring those who defend our Nation every day.

                          ____________________