[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 74 (Monday, May 6, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Page S2640]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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        RECOGNIZING THE USS ``BILLINGS'' COMMISSIONING COMMITTEE

 Mr. DAINES. Mr. President, today I wish to honor the men and 
women of the USS Billings Commissioning Committee and their notable 
contributions to our State and Nation. The USS Billings Commissioning 
Committee is a group of volunteers from Montana's largest city, who 
have dedicated themselves to promoting awareness and fostering support 
for the future commissioning of the USS Billings and all those who will 
sail aboard her in defense of our Nation.
  Upon commissioning, the USS Billings will be the first U.S. Navy 
warship to bear the city's namesake, a historic moment for our State. 
Montana has a proud heritage of military service. Some 3,500 Active 
Duty servicemembers currently serve at Malmstrom Air Force Base in 
Great Falls, and another 4,500 citizen-soldiers serve in the National 
Guard and Reserve at various locations across the State. Beyond the 
borders of our landlocked home, more than 2,200 U.S. Navy sailors 
currently call Montana home, adding 134 new Montanans to their ranks in 
the past 12 months. Montana also proudly boasts the highest percentage 
of veterans per capita in the contiguous United States.
  A Freedom Class littoral combat ship, the USS Billings will be among 
the fastest, most technologically advanced, and agile efficient ships 
in our naval fleet. The USS Billings will project power near the 
shoreline and conduct a wide range of missions, including mine 
countermeasures, antisubmarine warfare, and surface warfare missions. 
We wait with great anticipation as her August 3 commissioning quickly 
approaches.
  In keeping with time-honored naval traditions, the USS Billings 
Commissioning Committee on behalf of the city of Billings is making 
preparations to host the commission ceremony and a series of 
celebrations. Determined to accomplish this ambitious goal, the 
committee has made great strides in rallying support across the State. 
The city has had the honor and privilege of hosting the crew of the USS 
Billings at the of the committee, and we look forward to their return 
in the weeks ahead. These efforts have made great strides in fostering 
a strong and enduring relationship between the city of Billings, the 
State of Montana, and the U.S. Navy.
  In recognition of these and other notable accomplishments, I ask that 
the following names who have volunteered for the USS Billings 
Commissioning Committee be entered into the Record: Mayor Bill Cole, 
Chairman; Councilman Mike Yakawich, Co-Vice Chair; Commissioner Denis 
Pitman, Co-Vice Chair; Ron Spence, Committee Coordinator; Councilman 
Larry Brewster; Brent Brooks; Dan Brooks; Councilman Dick Clark; Sue 
Davidson; Katy Easton; Mike Jennings; Al Swanson; and Nancy 
Swanson.

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