[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 185 (Tuesday, November 19, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1469]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              RECOGNIZING U.S. NAVY AIRCRAFT CARRIER MONTH

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                          HON. VICKY HARTZLER

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 19, 2019

  Mrs. HARTZLER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the month of 
November as National U.S. Navy Aircraft Carrier Month. Throughout the 
month, there are dozens of events and activities all across our country 
that highlight the critical role of these mighty warships in the past, 
present, and future of our national defense. I am proud to join in the 
celebration of National U.S. Navy Aircraft Carrier Month to honor the 
value, accomplishments, and contributions of U.S. Navy aircraft 
carriers, their air wings, and most importantly the men and women who 
serve aboard them.
  The designation of November as the month of the year for National 
U.S. Navy Aircraft Carrier month is certainly no accident. In fact, 
November is full of historic milestones in the technological 
development of the modern nuclear-powered aircraft carrier and the 
contributions these ships have made to our country.
  For example, naval aviation was born when Eugene Ely launched from 
the deck of a U.S. Navy ship in a Curtiss Model D aircraft on November 
14, 1910, some 109 years ago this month. There are other examples of 
key naval aviation events occurring during the month of November as 
well, such as the commissioning of the first nuclear-powered aircraft 
carrier (the USS Enterprise--CVN 65) in November 1961, the christening 
of the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) in November 2013, and the first 
arrested landing of the 5th Generation F-35C Lightning II aboard the 
aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) in November 2014.
  While not in the month of November, I am nonetheless looking forward 
to the christening of CVN 79 John F. Kennedy next month in Virginia as 
the second ship of the Gerald R. Ford-class of aircraft carriers begins 
her march toward commissioning.
  Madam Speaker, naval aviation and our fleet of aircraft carriers have 
a rich tradition of service to our nation. Like other components of our 
national defense enterprise, aircraft carriers are produced by a 
nationwide team of more than 2,000 small, mid-sized and large 
businesses from 46 states, and 279 congressional districts which 
contribute parts, services, and support to the construction and 
maintenance of U.S. Navy aircraft carriers. In fact, over the past five 
years, this supply chain has performed more than $4.1 billion worth of 
work for the aircraft carrier program.
  Missouri is certainly a key component of this industrial base and I 
am proud to represent my constituents in Missouri who love our country 
and our Navy.
  I am also proud that my state helps to produce the F/A-18 Super 
Hornet in St. Louis--an aircraft which our carrier air wings are flying 
more than any other carrier-based aircraft on the flight decks of our 
nation's 11 aircraft carriers. The Super Hornet is an absolutely 
integral component of today's carrier air wing, and the combination of 
the air wings and aircraft carriers in our fleet is a bedrock of our 
Navy's ability to defend freedom, project power, and protect our 
national security.
  In closing, I am proud to support our Navy, naval aviation, and the 
men and women that serve our nation tirelessly across the nation and 
around the world.

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