[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 39 (Thursday, March 3, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Page S995]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  SENATE RESOLUTION 533--CELEBRATING THE CENTENNIAL OF NAVY AIRCRAFT 
                                CARRIERS

  Mr. KAINE (for himself and Mr. Warner) submitted the following 
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Armed Services:

                              S. Res. 533

       Whereas 100 years ago, on March 20, 1922, following a 2-
     year conversion at Norfolk Naval Shipyard, the former USS 
     Jupiter (Collier #3) was recommissioned as USS Langley (CV-
     1), the first aircraft carrier of the Navy;
       Whereas USS Langley began as an experimental platform, 
     laying the foundation for the future shipboard operations of 
     aircraft;
       Whereas, in fleet exercises beginning in 1924, the USS 
     Langley, appropriately nicknamed the ``Covered Wagon'', 
     demonstrated the potential of the aircraft carrier as an 
     invaluable weapons system that would transform how the Navy 
     fought at sea;
       Whereas, for the past 100 years, aircraft carriers have 
     been the preeminent power projection platform for the Navy 
     and have furthered United States interest in times of war and 
     peace;
       Whereas, from the great naval battles in the Pacific Ocean 
     during World War II to strike and close air support missions 
     in the battlegrounds of the Korean Peninsula and Vietnam, the 
     execution of joint force operations over the sands of the 
     Middle East, and present-day deterrence in numerous locations 
     around the world, aircraft carriers have proven time and 
     again that they invaluable in supporting the strategic goals 
     of the United States;
       Whereas, with an unequaled ability to provide warfighting 
     capabilities across the full spectrum of conflict and to 
     adapt in the face of ever-changing threats, aircraft carriers 
     and their embarked air wings and associated strike groups are 
     the foundation of United States maritime strategy;
       Whereas aircraft carriers enable the Armed Forces to carry 
     out operations from international waters, often obviating the 
     need to obtain flyover and land-based rights from other 
     countries;
       Whereas Nimitz and Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carriers 
     are modern, mobile military bases each complete with an 
     airfield, a hospital, and a hardened communications system 
     from which the United States can strike at enemies, wherever 
     and whenever it chooses;
       Whereas there are more than 2,450 companies in 48 States 
     and more than 364 congressional districts and more than 
     13,100 individuals, who proudly contribute to the 
     construction and maintenance of these complex and 
     technologically advanced ships; and
       Whereas countless members of the Armed Forces have served 
     the United States aboard aircraft carriers in war, peace, and 
     times of crisis: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) recognizes that aircraft carriers continue to be a 
     cornerstone of the Navy and play a vital role in the defense 
     of the United States;
       (2) acknowledges that, in a time of great power competition 
     that the world has not seen for over 30 years, aircraft 
     carriers will continue to be an absolutely vital strategic 
     platform that the United States can wield to ensure security 
     and stability throughout the world, now and well into the 
     future;
       (3) in this 100th year since USS Langley (CV-1) was 
     commissioned at Norfolk Naval Shipyard, recognizes the role 
     aircraft carriers have played in securing peace for the 
     United States and the continuing role aircraft carriers will 
     play in maintaining peace and security for the United States; 
     and
       (4) celebrates the centennial of Navy aircraft carriers.

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