[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 101 (Thursday, July 1, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1285]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          COMMENDING RESTORATION AND PRESERVATION OF ``FAME''

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                          HON. JOHN B. SHADEGG

                               of arizona

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, July 1, 2010

  Mr. SHADEGG. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend the restoration 
and preservation of the 40-foot gaff rigged schooner, Fame, a piece of 
nautical history, and one of America's maritime treasures.
  Fame is a 1910 Schooner rigged daysailer that was designed by B.B. 
Crowninshield, a naval architect from Boston, Massachusetts, and built 
by Rice Bros. Co., East Boothbay, Maine. In designing Fame, he wanted 
to create ``the largest and fastest boat he could handle and take care 
of alone.'' Fame is also noted to be the sister vessel to Fortune, a 50 
foot schooner built in 1925, also designed by B.B. Crowninshield.
  Fame's second owner was Theodore (Ted) M. Dunlap, who in partnership 
with Fred W. Weston, purchased her in 1926. Dunlap, known as ``The 
Commodore,'' taught many young people to sail aboard Fame in the waters 
of Lake Michigan. Three Lake Michigan clubs have named trophies after 
Fame, and she is well known along its shores.
  At one point in her history, Fame had been in dire need of repair, 
and was auctioned off to Ray Kazlas and Gint Karaitus, who began her 
rehabilitation. In the 1990s, her next owners continued fixing the aged 
schooner. Unfortunately, in 1995, on a passage from Chicago, Illinois, 
to Racine, Wisconsin, Fame sank when she took on water from large waves 
and her pumps failed. Luckily, she was quickly raised.
  Thanks to the steadfast vision and immense generosity of her most 
recent owner, Dennis Conner, the famous racing skipper and four time 
winner of the America's Cup and seven time yachtsman of the year, Fame 
has once again made a comeback. Mr. Conner previously restored the 80-
year-old Q boat, Cotton Blossom II.
  According to some classic yacht enthusiasts, Fame has once again been 
restored to her original beauty. Fame will celebrate her 100th Birthday 
at the San Diego Yacht Club, in San Diego, California, on Sunday, July 
11, 2010.
  Madam Speaker, I ask that you and my colleagues in the House of 
Representatives join me in recognizing Fame, in her centenary year. 
It's with Fame's restoration and preservation that she will be again 
admired by yachting enthusiasts and maritime historians now and in the 
future.

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