[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 8]
[House]
[Pages 11162-11163]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




     CONGRATULATING NAVY LEAGUE OF UNITED STATES ON ITS CENTENNIAL

  Mr. SCHROCK. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 416) congratulating the Navy 
League of United States on the occasion of the centennial of the 
organization's founding.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                            H. Con. Res. 416

       Whereas the Navy League of the United States was founded in 
     1902 with the encouragement of President Theodore Roosevelt 
     to serve and support the United States sea services, namely 
     the Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and Merchant Marine;
       Whereas the Navy League has more than 77,000 active 
     members;
       Whereas the Navy League is unique among military-oriented 
     associations in that it is a civilian organization dedicated 
     to the education of American citizens and the support of the 
     members of the sea services and their families;
       Whereas the Navy League supports active duty members of the 
     sea services through the adoption of naval vessels, 
     installations, and units and the hosting of commissioning 
     ceremonies, award programs, and other recognition programs;
       Whereas the Navy League supports America's young people 
     through its youth programs, including sponsorship of the 
     Naval Sea Cadet Corps and the Navy League Scholarship 
     Program, and through its promotion of youth-oriented 
     activities in local communities, such as the Reserve 
     Officers' Training Corps and other recognized youth programs;
       Whereas the Navy League is widely respected by citizens, 
     community and industry leaders, and public officials; and
       Whereas Navy League programs are welcomed in communities 
     throughout the United States, and members of the Navy League 
     are recognized for their integrity and patriotism: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
     concurring), That the Congress, on the occasion of the 
     centennial of the founding of the Navy League of the United 
     States in 1902, congratulates the Navy League and its members 
     for their role as the foremost civilian organization 
     dedicated to supporting the United States sea services.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Virginia (Mr. Schrock) and the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Davis) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Schrock).


                             General Leave

  Mr. SCHROCK. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their 
remarks on H. Con. Res. 416.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Virginia?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. SCHROCK. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I rise today to encourage my colleagues to join me in honoring the 
Navy League of the United States for its 100 years of service to 
service members, their families and their communities. I recently 
introduced House Resolution 416 to congratulate the Navy League on its 
100th anniversary, its 100th year of service to America. The Navy 
League of the United States was founded in 1902 with the encouragement 
of then-President Theodore Roosevelt.
  The Navy League is unique among military-oriented associations. It is 
a civilian organization dedicated to the education of our citizens and 
the support of the men and women of the sea services and their 
families, including the adoption of ships, installations, and units; 
commissioning ceremonies; award programs; and other recognition 
programs.
  The Navy League works closely with the Navy, Marine Corps, Coast 
Guard

[[Page 11163]]

and U.S.-flag Merchant Marines through a network of nearly 78,000 
active members and over 330 councils in the United States and around 
the world. The Navy League is widely respected by citizens, community 
and industry leaders, and public officials. Navy League programs are 
welcomed in communities throughout the Nation, and members are 
recognized for their integrity and patriotism.
  For instance, just this morning I met with the leaders of the Navy 
League in the Second Congressional District of Virginia, which I 
represent, on plans they have for the commissioning ceremonies of the 
aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan in May of next year. They are 
expecting over 35,000 people to attend the event. The members of the 
Hampton Roads Navy League will handle all the events surrounding this 
monumental ceremony.
  This is just one example of the kind of support they provide to 
America's sea services around the world.
  As a retired Navy captain, it is a privilege for me to bring this 
resolution to the House floor and recognize the Navy League and the 
outstanding role that it plays to members of our sea services.
  I ask Members to join me in thanking the Navy League of the United 
States for its long-standing service. I encourage all Members to 
support this resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House Concurrent Resolution 416 
introduced by the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Schrock). The resolution 
congratulates the Navy League of the United States for 100 years of 
service to this Nation.
  Established in 1902, the Navy League and its more than 77,000 active 
members have been dedicated to educating Americans about the importance 
of maintaining a strong maritime force and providing support to sea 
service members and their families.
  While the Navy League is a civilian organization, it works closely 
with the Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and U.S. Merchant Marines 
through over 330 councils in the United States and around the world. In 
addition, these services allow the United States to maintain our 
presence around the world, ensure the freedom of our seas, and promote 
America's national security interests and global stability.
  The Navy League also reaches out to our children through the U.S. 
Naval Sea Cadet Corps and the Navy League Scholarship Program. The U.S. 
Naval Sea Cadet Corps has over 8,500 cadets, ages 11 through 17, that 
learn seamanship skills, maritime history, customs and traditions. 
Cadets also learn to build their courage, self-reliance, and 
confidence, and are offered opportunities to travel and train with Sea 
Cadets from foreign countries, such as Belgium, Bermuda, Canada, Great 
Britain, Japan, Sweden and the Netherlands.
  The Navy League has provided over $25,000 in scholarships and awards. 
The League also provides support for Navy and Marine Corps Junior 
Reserve Officer Training Corps and Reserve Officer Training Corps units 
across the United States.
  The Navy League councils also support military personnel and their 
families through ``adoption'' of ships, installations, and units, 
commissioning ceremonies, awards and other recognition programs.
  Mr. Speaker, as a cosponsor of House Concurrent Resolution 416, I 
urge my colleagues to support this measure and join in extending 
heartfelt congratulations to the Navy League and its members on their 
century of dedication and commitment to our Nation's maritime forces.
  Mr. JEFF MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of 
H. Con. Res. 416 and congratulate the Navy League of the United States 
on 100 years of service to Navy communities around the country.
  The Navy League, Pensacola Chapter, is one of the largest in the 
country with 1010 members and growing. It is actively supporting the 
Navy and the community. Both the Pensacola and Santa Rosa Chapters host 
annual Sailor of the Year and Flight Instructor of the Year Award 
Ceremonies. These awards recognize the best of the best from the Navy, 
Marine Corps, Coast Guard and Air Force active duty that serve on the 
emerald coast. They also support and co-founded the community's annual 
military appreciation month, where active and former military members 
are given special consideration throughout the month. On a recent visit 
to my district, the Secretary of the Navy, Gordon England, recognized 
the Pensacola Area Navy Leagues as exemplary and was impressed by the 
display of support for visiting ship and air-wing crews.
  Again, Mr. Speaker, I appreciate my good friend from Virginia, Mr. 
Schrock, for introducing this measure. My community and I are grateful 
for the Navy League and wish them well in their next 100 years.
  Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my 
time.
  Mr. SCHROCK. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Schrock) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res. 416.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the concurrent resolution was 
agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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