[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 10]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 14763]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



 INTRODUCTION OF A BILL TO AUTHORIZE THE USE OF A VESSEL TO TRANSPORT 
  THE FORMER NAVAL MEDIUM HARBOR TUG U.S.S. HOGA TO PORT EVERGLADES, 
FLORIDA, FOR USE AS A MEMORIAL TO VETERANS AND FOR PROVIDING VOCATIONAL 
                          SEAMANSHIP TRAINING

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 26, 2001

  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to introduce a bill 
which authorizes the use of a vessel to transport the naval harbor tug 
U.S.S. Hoga to Port Everglades, Florida, for use as a memorial to 
veterans and provide vocational seamanship training.
  This bill will carry out the longstanding intent of Congress in 
preserving and protecting historic landmarks and national monuments. 
The U.S.S. Hoga is recognized by the United States Park Service as a 
national monument, and appears in the national register of historic 
places. Unfortunately, the U.S.S. Hoga is no longer seaworthy, and 
cannot safely be towed on the open sea. If towed through the water, it 
may fall apart, and we stand to lose this national monument forever. 
Thus, I encourage you, Mr. Speaker, and my colleagues here in Congress, 
to support this initiative that will allow a means to transport the 
U.S.S. Hoga on a transporter vessel, enabling the ship to arrive 
undamaged to the state of Florida.
  Veterans have long been the thread holding together out nation, 
defining American independence, and ensuring American freedom. Despite 
the high concentration of World War II veterans in Florida, with the 
majority of them calling South Florida home, the state of Florida is 
the only coastal state without a commemorative World War II warship. 
This legislation will assist the U.S.S. Hoga Association in 
transporting the U.S.S. Hoga to its final resting place at the New 
River in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.
  Mr. Speaker, in the next two decades, the last of the World War II 
veterans will have passed on. As an immobile World War II veteran, the 
U.S.S. Hoga will be a place for future generations to pay homage to 
those who fought bravely under and for the United States flag. The 
U.S.S. Hoga is indeed a national treasure, and will serve many 
additional uses in the state of Florida. Currently, boatyards are 
underemployed, and fewer Americans consider a calling to defend our 
great country. In addition to being a memorial, the U.S.S. Hoga will be 
used to train students in seamanship duties and promote national 
defense by preparing young Americans for service in the United States 
Navy.
  Finally, Mr. Speaker, let me say that I take a great deal of pride in 
the fact that South Florida boasts one of the nation's highest 
percentage of World War II veterans. I would also like to commend the 
U.S.S. Hoga Association for the tremendous work and effort it has 
contributed to attain this goal. As we approach the 65-year mark 
commemorating the beginning of World War II, I ask that we fulfill a 
small request made by Florida veterans to aid them in transporting a 
tribute to those citizens who fought for our country.
  I urge all of my colleagues to support this bill.

                          ____________________