[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 24 (Wednesday, February 24, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E226]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             COMMENDING THE U.S. NAVY FOR ITS WORK IN HAITI

                               speech of

                          HON. C.W. BILL YOUNG

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 23, 2010

  Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of House 
Resolution 1048 which honors the work of the men and women of the USNS 
Comfort and the United States Navy in the immediate response to those 
affected by the devastating earthquake that struck Haiti on January 12, 
2010.
  The Navy's support is ongoing and to date, the Comfort has treated 
more than 900 Haitians and has performed more than 750 life saving 
surgeries. Together with her sister ship, the USNS Mercy, these vessels 
serve as ambassadors of good-will during periods of desperation all 
around the world. Their mission is always a benevolent one and their 
commitment to areas of strife and devastation highlight the best 
qualities of what it means to be an American--that we stand by always 
ready to assist and will never forsake those who are in need.
  The earthquake that hit Haiti was the most devastating it has seen in 
200 years. Words cannot adequately describe the destruction that took 
the lives of more than 200,000 people, leveled the capital city, and 
left thousands of survivors with an uncertain future coupled with 
worries about hunger, disease, and injuries. Into that morass of 
suffering we stepped in as a nation to assist the good Haitian people 
with the USNS Comfort and the Navy as part of the vanguard.
  The USNS Comfort has a storied history. Among its most notable 
deployments were:
  --In 2007 when it embarked on a four month humanitarian assistance 
mission throughout Latin America and the Caribbean that treated more 
than 98,000 people in 12 countries. This type of mission highlights the 
diplomatic role our military plays as it works in concert with the 
State Department in being ambassadors of good-will.
  --In 2005 when Comfort responded on our own shores after the 
devastation of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, providing treatment to 
thousands in the Gulf Coast region. Despite regional devastation, the 
USNS Comfort was able to provide critical emergency hospital services 
for residents and first-responders before regular service was restored.
  --In 2003, when Comfort deployed to war and served as an afloat 
trauma center for two months during the initial stages of Operation 
Iraqi Freedom.
  --In 2001, immediately in the aftermath of the 9-11 attacks, when 
Comfort deployed in support of Operation Noble Eagle and provided 
meals, housing, medical and psychological services to volunteer and 
relief workers at New York's ground zero.
  This is just a sampling of the ship and crew's operational history 
since Comfort was delivered to the Navy in 1987. Untold thousands have 
benefited from these missions.
  Madam Speaker, while many know of Comfort and Mercy's life-saving 
work, few realize that these ships almost did not come into the Navy's 
fleet. USNS Comfort and USNS Mercy began their lives as oil-tankers a 
decade before being delivered to the Navy as hospital ships. In fact, 
they were destined for the scrap yard, if not for the intervention of 
Congress and specifically the Appropriations Committee. It was a 
Congressional Initiative that was the catalyst for the birth of the 
Mercy Class Hospital Ships. My colleagues and I on the Appropriations 
Committee saw a need for this life-saving capability when others sought 
to scrap these ships. We saw the value in these Mercy Class Hospital 
Ships, to provide a unique capability of being some of the largest U.S. 
trauma centers with the distinction of having world-wide mobility. Even 
in the face of airfield closures, destroyed infrastructure, and 
interrupted communications, as long as the sea is navigable, the USNS 
Comfort and USNS Mercy can get there. Once on the scene, a fully crewed 
ship brings 1,000 medical professionals, a hospital with a full 
spectrum of surgical and medical services including four X-rays, a CAT 
scan unit, a dental suite, two oxygen-producing plants, and 5,000 units 
of blood. The ships have 12 operating rooms and a total bed capacity of 
up to 1,000. In short, they are fully functional floating hospitals 
able to give first-rate care where otherwise there would be no 
treatment options.
  Madam Speaker, As we take the time today to honor the men and women 
who proudly serve this country aboard the USNS Comfort, let us also 
remember the broad scope of compassionate contributions that our 
servicemen and women are providing around the world in both non-hostile 
and hostile environments. Often times we forget that our military 
performs many humanitarian functions that other agencies and nations 
depend upon, be it logistical support or whole-scale nation-building. 
Their efforts and their sacrifice go beyond expressions of remorse and 
tangibly demonstrate our level of commitment to peace and prosperity 
for all.

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