[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 150 (Wednesday, November 17, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1949]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     A TRIBUTE TO HONOR THE COMMANDING OFFICER AND CREW OF THE USS 
                              ``GRAVELY''

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE McINTYRE

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 17, 2010

  Mr. McINTYRE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Commander 
Douglas Kunzman, as well as the officers and crew of the USS Gravely, 
which will be commissioned by the United States Navy in Wilmington, 
North Carolina, on November 20, 2010. This strong, state-of-the-art 
destroyer joins an impressive group of ships on deployment protecting 
our nation and defending our freedoms and national security interests.
  As a senior member of the U.S. House Committee on Armed Services and 
a longtime supporter of our great nation's military and those who have 
served our country, it is my honor to recognize the USS Gravely as the 
57th unit of the ARLEIGH BURKE Class of guided missile destroyers.
  Named for Vice Admiral Samuel Lee Gravely, Jr., the first African-
American commanding officer of a naval ship, this guided missile 
destroyer was constructed at Northrup Grumman Corporation's Ingalls 
Shipyard in Pascagoula, MS. Her keel was laid on November 26, 2007, 
launched on March 30, 2009, and christened on May 16, 2009. 
Impressively, the USS Gravely has an overall length of 510 ft, beam of 
66 ft, full load displacement of 9,200 tons and a mean full load draft 
of 33 ft.
  The people of Southeastern North Carolina are honored to welcome and 
host Commander Kunzman and his crew for the commissioning festivities 
for this new vessel and hope they will consider the coastline of this 
state as a special home for them. I am especially appreciative of the 
Secretary of the Navy, the Honorable Ray Mabus, for granting the 
request for this commissioning to occur in North Carolina and for his 
recent visit to Wilmington in anticipation of this important event, as 
well as for the celebration of Navy Day.
  The State of North Carolina and this nation are deeply proud of the 
personal talent and ability represented by the officers and crew of 
this new destroyer. It is their spirit, service, and sacrifice for 
which we all are extremely grateful.
  Madam Speaker, may we also never forget the bravery and dedication of 
those who have served before, those who currently serve, and those who 
will serve our country--and may we continue to receive inspiration from 
their courageous words and deeds. May God's blessings be with the USS 
Gravely, her officers, and her crew as she begins her time in service 
to this wonderful nation--the United States of America.

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