[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 83 (Tuesday, May 14, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E493]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HONORING THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE USS HORNET SEA, AIR & SPACE MUSEUM

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                            HON. BARBARA LEE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 14, 2024

  Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 
25th anniversary of the USS Hornet Sea, Air & Space Museum in Alameda, 
California. The USS Hornet is an Affiliate of the Smithsonian 
Institution, the world's largest museum, education, and research 
complex, dedicated to the increase and diffusion of knowledge.
  The museum is housed in the aircraft carrier USS Hornet, CV-12 which 
was part of the U.S. Navy's offensive force in the Pacific theater 
during World War II. Along with the anniversary of the museum, we are 
also celebrating the 80th anniversary of the commissioning of this 
historic ship. The USS Hornet saw fierce action during World War II, as 
well as serving in the Korean and Vietnam wars. The ship was 
decommissioned in 1970 and turned into a museum, which first opened in 
1998.
  The ship is moored permanently at the former Alameda Naval Air 
Station in Alameda, California, overlooking the San Francisco Bay. 
Visitors can see how the crew ate, lived, slept, and worked during 
their time aboard the ship.
  Visitors can explore the flight deck, hangar deck, and first deck on 
self-guided tours. Docent-led tours take visitors to the ship's 
navigation and flight deck control areas, as well as into engineering 
spaces that hold two of the four ship's propulsion turbines.
  In addition to the historic ship itself, there are vintage military 
aircraft on display, including exhibits from NASA's Apollo missions 11 
and 12. The Hornet served as the primary recovery ship for Apollo 11, 
picking up astronauts Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins 
upon their return from the moon following their splashdown in the 
Pacific Ocean. The Apollo Block 1 Command Module is on a special loan 
from Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum.
  The Hornet also has a STEM to Stern Program, where students can learn 
how science, technology, engineering, and mathematics apply to the 
operational functions of a World War II aircraft carrier. This program 
offers a perspective on modern technology by offering a comparison to 
the past.
  On June 1, 2017, the Smithsonian Institution added the USS Hornet 
Sea, Air & Space Museum as an affiliate. This allowed the Hornet to 
share objects for display and work together to enhance the experience 
of museumgoers.
  The USS Hornet Museum is now one of 216 organizations in 46 states, 
as well as Puerto Rico and Panama, that are part of the Smithsonian's 
affiliate program. The affiliate program will allow the Hornet to share 
objects for display, facilitate co-branding, and professional 
development of staff.
  Please join me as I recognize the 25th anniversary of this beloved 
museum, as well as the staff and volunteers who serve on it. This 
Veteran's Day, the USS Hornet Sea, Air & Space Museum will open its 
doors to members of the community for free in honor of the occasion. 
Its collections, exhibitions, and educational programming will promote 
awareness and understanding of history, science, technology, and 
service as a Smithsonian Institution Affiliate.

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