[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 7]
[Senate]
[Page 9882]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 IN RECOGNITION OF THE UNITED STATES COAST GUARD CUTTER ``ACACIA'' AND 
                                HER CREW

 Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, it is with great pride that I pay 
tribute to the United States Coast Guard Cutter Acacia on her 62 years 
of exceptional service on the Great Lakes. The ``Ace of the Great 
Lakes'' will be remembered for her strength, integrity, and rich 
maritime history. The Acacia is the last of the Coast Guard's classic 
World War II era 180-foot buoy tenders, and when she is decommissioned 
on Wednesday, June 7, 2006, it will be the end of an era.
  The Acacia, constructed during World War II by the Zenith Dredge 
Company of Duluth, Minnesota, was launched on September 1, 1944. She 
was named after the U.S. Lighthouse Service Acacia, the only Lighthouse 
Service vessel sunk during World War II. In the years since her 
commissioning, the Acacia has served proudly on the Great Lakes, 
calling Charlevoix, Michigan, home port for the last 16 years.
  Affectionately known as ``The Big A,'' the Acacia's primary duties 
have been the maintenance of more than 210 buoys, lighthouses and other 
navigational aids in the Great Lakes. Servicing these aids to 
navigation has required travel from as far south as Calumet Harbor to 
as far north as Little Bay De Noc. The Acacia's icebreaking 
capabilities were also vital to maintaining the safe passage of coal 
ships in the channels between Toledo, Ohio and Detroit, Michigan every 
winter through her participation in Operation Coal Shovel.
  In addition, the Acacia has assisted in icebreaking and search and 
rescue operations on the Great Lakes and throughout the world. 
Internationally, the Acacia and her crew took part in operation Uphold 
Democracy in 1994, supporting the Department of Defense in patrolling 
the coastline of Haiti. Whether working on the Great Lakes or in 
international waters, the Acacia and her crew have completed all of 
their missions with class and integrity.
  As we pay tribute to the Acacia, I want to recognize the 
contributions of her crew to her great success. The proud men and women 
who have served this country aboard the Acacia over the last 62 years 
are to be saluted for their commitment, hard work, and impressive skill 
in protecting and securing the safe passage of vessels on the Great 
Lakes.
  On the eve of her decommissioning, I would like to praise the United 
States Coast Guard Cutter Acacia for her service on the Great Lakes. 
And I thank the current and former crew of this great ship for their 
service and commitment. The Acacia will be long remembered for a job 
well done.

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