[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 113 (Thursday, July 26, 2012)]
[House]
[Page H5323]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  THE CHRISTENING OF THE USS SOMERSET

  (Mr. SHUSTER asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to highlight another milestone 
in the continuing efforts to honor the heroics of the 40 heroes aboard 
United Flight 93 on September 11, 2001.
  On July 28, the USS Somerset will be christened. The Somerset is 
named in honor of the passengers and crew of United Airlines Flight 93, 
and Somerset is the county in Pennsylvania in which United Flight 93 
went down.
  The 680-foot, 105-foot wide LPD transport dock ship is used to 
transport and land U.S. Marines, and also support amphibious assaults 
by our U.S. Special Forces.
  Located on the property near the crash site were two draglines, 
machinery used in coal-stripping operations. In the days following the 
crash, a huge American flag was hoisted on top of one of the draglines, 
and the flag stood as a constant reminder of the sacrifices of the 
heroes of Flight 93.
  In honor of the passengers and crew of Flight 93, the 22-ton bucket 
of one of the draglines was melted and cast into the ship's bow stern. 
In addition, the USS Somerset's mast will also contain a time capsule.
  The USS Somerset, a bold representation of America's military 
strength, is a fitting tribute to the 40 ordinary Americans who took a 
stand against the enemies of free society and represent the best 
aspects of the American spirit. Their actions prevented further loss of 
life and disruption of some of the most recognizable symbols of freedom 
and democracy in the world.
  Mr. Speaker, following is my statement in its entirety:
  I rise today to highlight another milestone in the continuing efforts 
to honor the heroics of the 40 heroes aboard United Flight 93 on 
September 11, 2001.
  On July 28, the USS Somerset will be christened at the Avondale 
shipyard outside of New Orleans, Louisiana. The Somerset is named in 
honor of the passengers and crew of United Airlines Flight 93, whose 
courageous actions prevented terrorist hijackers from reaching their 
intended target in Washington, DC on September 11, 2001. Somerset is 
the county in Pennsylvania in which United Flight 93 crashed.
  This 684-foot, 105-foot-wide LPD transport dock ship is used to 
transport and land U.S. Marines. LPD ships have supported amphibious 
assaults for special operations forces, expeditionary warfare missions, 
and humanitarian missions throughout the first half of the 21st 
century.
  The final resting area of the 40 heroes who decided to fight back 
against the terrorists on that fateful day was an abandoned coal strip 
mine.
  Located on the property near the crash site were two draglines once 
used in coal stripping. In the days following the crash, a huge 
American flag was hoisted to the top of one of the draglines. The flag 
stood as a constant reminder of the sacrifices and love of country 
shown by the Flight 93 heroes.
  In honor of the passengers and crew of Flight 93, the 22-ton bucket 
of one of the draglines was melted and cast into the Somerset's bow 
stern. In addition, USS Somerset's mast also will contain a time 
capsule that includes such items as a bottle of Meyersdale maple syrup, 
a Flight 93 10th-anniversary commemorative pin and a Somerset Borough 
bicentennial marble.
  The USS Somerset, a bold representation of America's military 
strength and humanitarianism, is a fitting tribute to the 40 ordinary 
Americans who took a stand against the enemies of a free society and 
represent the best aspects of the American spirit. Their actions 
prevented further loss of life and the destruction of the most 
recognized symbols of freedom and democracy in the world.

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