[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 13]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 17388]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                HOMEPORTING OF THE USS ``RONALD REAGAN''

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DARRELL E. ISSA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 22, 2004

  Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today, on the eve of the home porting 
ceremony of the USS Ronald Reagan, to welcome America's newest Aircraft 
Carrier and its crew to San Diego.
  The USS Ronald Reagan CVN 76, our nation's ninth Nimitz class 
carrier, is the world's most advanced and most capable carrier ever 
built. The USS Reagan, along with its crew of 6,000 and its commanding 
officer Captain James A. Symonds, will give America greater 
capabilities to address threats to the safety of Americans and 
international peace and stability than ever before.
  For most of the world's history, the oceans have been a dangerous and 
lawless place. For over 60 years, however, America's Navy has reigned 
supreme over the world's oceans. Today, our Navy ensures freedom of the 
seas for all nations who seek to use the world's shipping lanes for 
peaceful purposes. The USS Ronald Reagan enhances our Navy's ability to 
do its job.
  For California, the USS Ronald Reagan will serve as a proud reminder 
of the legacy left behind by our former Governor and President. 
President Reagan understood the importance of maintaining a strong and 
effective military. Throughout his administration, which brought about 
a successful end to the Cold War, President Reagan rebuilt America's 
armed forces with a steadfast belief in the pursuit of peace through 
strength. Because of this legacy, it is entirely fitting that the most 
powerful and diplomatically visible symbol of the American Navy now 
shares both the name and home state of President Ronald Reagan.
  The crew of the USS Reagan will find the San Diego community to be 
warm and welcoming. San Diego has a mix of many cultures and, as 
someone who moved my family here 20 years ago, I can assure the entire 
crew that San Diego is a great place to live, work, and raise a family.
  Mr. Speaker, in closing, I would like to recognize Mrs. Reagan who 
will participate in tomorrow's home porting ceremony. The USS Ronald 
Reagan is a testament to the many great things Ronald and Nancy Reagan 
accomplished together. Ronald Reagan gave our nation hope and reminded 
us that with hard work and determination we could do great things. 
President Reagan may have moved on, but his legacy is as strong and 
steady as the ship that now bears his name.

                          ____________________