[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 41 (Thursday, March 9, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E303]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         HONORING U.S. NAVY SEABEE'S ON THEIR 25TH ANNIVERSARY

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                         HON. STEVEN M. PALAZZO

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 9, 2017

  Mr. PALAZZO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the U.S. Navy 
Construction Battalion, also known as the Seabees, and congratulate 
them on their 75th Anniversary. In the opening weeks of World War II, 
the U.S. Navy began to organize unique and specialized construction 
battalions to support the building and maintaining of infrastructure in 
remote island locations throughout the Pacific. On March 5, 1942, these 
construction battalions were named Seabees by the Department of the 
Navy and served a vital role in meeting the logistical and strategical 
challenges the United States faced in the war effort.
  Over the past 75 years, the Seabees have met continued challenges in 
strengthening our national security in times of war and peace. They 
have been responsible for building and maintaining numerous military 
support facilities throughout the world, such as military bases, as 
well as hundreds of miles of airstrips, roadways and bridges. From the 
beginning of the Second World War to our present day military 
operations, the Seabees have performed up to the highest standard and 
have done so while demonstrating outstanding courage, bravery and 
determination. They have even been immortalized on the silver screen in 
the 1944 film, The Fighting Seabees starring John Wayne.
  In honoring the Seabees, let us remember the tremendous sacrifices 
that these brave men and women, as well as their families, have made in 
dedicated service to their country for the past 75 years. As a U.S. 
Marine and current member of the Mississippi National Guard, I can 
personally attest to how important their service and sacrifice is to 
the success of our military.
  I am proud to represent Mississippi's 4th district, home to the Naval 
Construction Battalion Center, where in just the past year, thousands 
of Seabees, sailors, airmen and soldiers have received training. We 
congratulate the U.S. Navy Seabees on their 75th Anniversary and 
reaffirm our commitment to their service.

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