[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 56 (Thursday, March 27, 2025)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E256]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                CHRISTENING OF THE USNS BILLY FRANK JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. RICK LARSEN

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 27, 2025

  Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 
christening of the USNS Billy Frank Jr.
  Billy Frank Jr. was a proud member of the Nisqually Tribe and a 
dedicated leader on tribal treaty rights and environmental stewardship. 
He served as chair of the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission for 
over 30 years, paved the way for the Boldt decision and was honored 
with numerous prestigious awards. In 2015, he was awarded the 
Presidential Medal of Freedom, the Nation's highest civilian honor.
  I am grateful to have worked with Billy on habitat restoration for 
salmon and steelhead. Washington state's tribes and environment are 
stronger because of Billy's decades of advocacy and leadership.
  Billy was also a veteran of the Marine Corps and served during the 
Korean War. It is fitting that a Navy ship will now bear his name. The 
USNS Billy Frank Jr. will offer salvage, rescue, ocean-going towing and 
other support capabilities for U.S. Navy fleet operations, while also 
supporting missions such as oil spill response, humanitarian 
assistance, wide-area search and surveillance.
  On this momentous occasion I send my congratulations to the Frank 
family and the Nisqually Tribe. I look forward to once again honoring 
Billy later this year when his statue will be unveiled to represent the 
state of Washington in the U.S. Capitol's National Statuary Hall.

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