[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 127 (Monday, July 20, 2020)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4262-S4263]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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            COMMISSIONING OF THE USS ``ST. LOUIS'' (LCS-19)

 Mr. BLUNT. Mr. President, today I stand to recognize a 
historic milestone for the U.S. Navy and for the remarkable city of St. 
Louis, MO. I am proud that the brandnew USS St. Louis (LCS-19) will be 
commissioned August 8, 2020, and begin service as the Navy's newest 
littoral combat ship.
  The USS St. Louis will be the seventh U.S. Navy ship named for the 
city of St. Louis, which is known as the Gateway to the West and serves 
as an enduring symbol of our country's westward expansion. From the 
early days of American expansion through the Cold War, ships carrying 
the name St. Louis have supported U.S. naval operations in many major 
conflicts. Historic ships named for the city of St. Louis include an 
ironclad gunboat in the Civil War, a troop transport and protected 
cruiser during World War I, a light cruiser during World War II, and an 
amphibious cargo ship during the Cold War era.
  It seems only fitting that the very first USS St. Louis, which dates 
back to 1828, was a sail-powered sloop-of-war designed to protect the 
United States in its littoral zone. Similarly, today's USS St. Louis, a 
Freedom-Class littoral combat ship, boasts the unique capability to 
operate in near-shore littoral environments as well as blue-water 
missions. In addition to her operational flexibility, the USS St. Louis 
has reconfigurable payloads known as mission modules that can be 
quickly changed to adapt to shifting requirements. These mission 
modules, in combination with crew detachments and air assets, make 
littoral combat ships like the USS St. Louis the Swiss Army knives of 
the Navy. This ship's innovative technological advances will enhance 
our Navy's ability to project power into the littoral regions of the 
world in defense of U.S. interests. President Truman, a Missouri 
native, once said, ``Carry the battle to them. Don't let them bring it 
to you.'' The USS St. Louis will enable the Navy to do just that.
  The USS St. Louis also reflects the extraordinary amount of time, 
expertise, and craftsmanship necessary to produce this great marvel of 
technology and symbol of American freedom. The defense industrial base,

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which employs countless hard-working Americans, is a critical component 
of our national defense. Each day that the USS St. Louis sails in 
support of her missions around the world will serve as a testament to 
the hundreds of thousands of hours necessary to manufacture such an 
advanced, impressive ship. Without the contributions of the industrial 
base, our Navy would not be able to build the fleet it needs to 
confront today's challenges and prepare for future threats.
  For decades to come, the USS St. Louis will represent the people of 
St. Louis and the Show-Me State of Missouri around the world. I am 
proud of the role she will play in defending our Nation and 
safeguarding freedom across the globe. I congratulate the ship's 
sponsor, Barbara Broadhurst Taylor, along with the Navy and the 
officers and crew of the USS St. Louis, on this historic occasion and 
wish them all the best as the USS St. Louis enters service.

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