[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 104 (Friday, July 19, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1104]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


            HONORING THE RE-LAUNCH OF THE CHARLES W. MORGAN

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOE COURTNEY

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 19, 2013

  Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the re-launching of 
the Charles W. Morgan this weekend at the Mystic Seaport: The Museum of 
America and the Sea.
  The Morgan, a 172-year-old whaling vessel, was built and launched 
from New Bedford, Massachusetts, in 1841. For more than 200 years, 
vessels like her were the economic backbone of New England. Since its 
retirement from the whaling industry in 1921, the Morgan has served as 
a living artifact and a testament to the ingenuity, risk, and 
entrepreneurship of the United States. Today, the Morgan is a National 
Historic Landmark vessel, the only remaining wooden whaleship in the 
world, and the oldest commercial vessel in the United States.
  The Morgan has completed a 5-year, multi-million dollar restoration 
at the Preservation Shipyard of Mystic Seaport and the Sea and will be 
relaunched this weekend. Individuals and organizations from 22 States 
have contributed materials and expertise to make this launch possible. 
From educational curriculum to whaleboats, research to anchors, the 
contributions to the restoration of the Morgan represent a truly 
national effort and will help make the Morgan's mission that much more 
meaningful. The reach of these efforts touch literally every region and 
corner of our nation, with contributions from the following states: 
Alaska Arizona, California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Maine, 
Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, New York, Ohio, 
Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, 
Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin.
  Next summer, the Morgan will embark on a ceremonial 38th voyage, 
embarking on a new mission devoted to history, education, science, and 
ocean awareness. Most notably, the Morgan will sail with the wood from 
trees blown down from recent hurricanes in her frame and decks--giving 
new life to these trees as the Morgan embarks on her own new life. For 
instance, live Oak wood from trees in Texas damaged in Hurricane Ike is 
used in the ship's frame, live oak trees from Florida blown down in 
Hurricane Ivan, White Oak and White Pine wood blown down by Hurricane 
Sandy in New York, and live Oak wood from trees in Mississippi damaged 
during Hurricane Katrina. That we can turn the devastation of these 
storms in to a positive outcome that will have lasting impact is a 
unique and special part of this weekend's ceremony.
  Mr. Speaker, there is an understandably high level of excitement for 
this weekend's festivities and the Morgan's upcoming mission of 
education, exploration and discovery next summer. I ask all my 
colleagues to join me in offering our congratulations to the Mystic 
Seaport and all those who made the restoration of the Morgan possible.

                          ____________________