[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 68 (Thursday, April 18, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Page S2888]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




SENATE RESOLUTION 650--RECOGNIZING THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT 
      OF THE UNITED STATES NAVAL CONSTRUCTION FORCE, KNOWN AS THE 
  ``SEABEES'', AND THE TREMENDOUS SACRIFICES AND CONTRIBUTIONS BY THE 
      SEABEES WHO HAVE FOUGHT AND SERVED ON BEHALF OF OUR COUNTRY

  Mr. WHITEHOUSE (for himself, Mr. Wicker, Mr. Reed, and Mrs. Hyde-
Smith) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 
Committee on Armed Services:

                              S. Res. 650

       Whereas, on January 5, 1942, the first United States Naval 
     Construction units were authorized by the Department of the 
     Navy;
       Whereas, on March 5, 1942, the United States Naval 
     Construction Force (referred to in this preamble as 
     ``Seabees'') was granted official permission by the Navy to 
     use the name ``Seabees'';
       Whereas, in 1942, Frank J. Iafrate, a native of North 
     Providence, Rhode Island, who later joined the Seabees as a 
     Chief Carpenter's Mate, designed the ``Fighting Bee'' logo 
     that is still used by the Seabees in 2024;
       Whereas, for more than 80 years, the Seabees have built 
     bases, airfields, roads, bridges, fueling stations, and other 
     infrastructure, both on land and underwater, in support of 
     the Navy and Marine Corps;
       Whereas the motto of the Seabees, ``Construimus, 
     Batuimus'', Latin for ``We Build, We Fight'', reflects the 
     indispensable dual role of the Seabees in building critical 
     warfighting infrastructure and defending the United States in 
     combat;
       Whereas the ingenuity, improvisation, and entrepreneurial 
     spirit of the Seabees has given the Armed Forces a strategic 
     advantage and contributed to countless successes on the 
     battlefield for the United States since World War II;
       Whereas the Seabees have served as goodwill ambassadors 
     across the globe, performing humanitarian and civic action 
     projects to--
       (1) improve access to sanitation, drinking water, and 
     utilities;
       (2) build schools, hospitals, and roads; and
       (3) provide emergency relief in the aftermath of major 
     disasters;

       Whereas, with courage, creativity, and a ``can-do'' 
     attitude, the Seabees have helped to build both critical 
     infrastructure and valued friendships around the world; and
       Whereas March 5, 2024, is the 82nd anniversary of the 
     establishment of the Seabees: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) acknowledges and expresses thanks for the thousands of 
     members of the United States Naval Construction Force 
     (referred to in this resolution as ``Seabees'') who, through 
     ingenuity, strength, courage, and perseverance, have 
     protected the United States and improved the lives of 
     countless people in the United States and around the world;
       (2) honors the courage and sacrifices of those members of 
     the Seabees who have perished in defense of the United 
     States;
       (3) expresses unending gratitude for the many sacrifices 
     made by the families of members of the Seabees; and
       (4) proudly recognizes the 82nd anniversary of the 
     establishment of the Seabees.

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