[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 12]
[House]
[Pages 17356-17360]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




           HONORING THE SERVICE OF LANDING SHIP TANK VETERANS

  Mr. ELLSWORTH. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree 
to the resolution (H. Res. 1316) honoring the service of the Navy and 
Coast Guard veterans who served on the Landing Ship Tank (LST) 
amphibious landing craft during World War II, the Korean war, the 
Vietnam War, Operation Desert Storm, and global operations through 2002 
and recognizing the

[[Page 17357]]

essential role played by LST amphibious craft during these conflicts.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 1316

       Whereas the Landing Ship Tank (LST) was the military 
     designation for naval vessels created during World War II to 
     support amphibious operations by carrying significant 
     quantities of vehicles, cargo, and landing troops directly 
     onto an unimproved shore;
       Whereas the British evacuation from Dunkirk in 1940 
     demonstrated to the British Admiralty that the Allied Forces 
     needed relatively large, ocean-going ships, capable of the 
     shore-to-shore delivery of tanks, other vehicles, and troops 
     for amphibious assault upon the continent of Europe;
       Whereas at their first meeting at the Atlantic Conference 
     in August 1941, President Franklin D. Roosevelt and British 
     Prime Minister Winston Churchill agreed with the Admiralty 
     about the need for improved ships that could land on and 
     retract off a beach;
       Whereas in 3 separate acts, dated February 6, 1942, May 26, 
     1943, and December 17, 1943, Congress provided the authority 
     for the construction of LSTs;
       Whereas 1,051 LST amphibious craft were constructed during 
     World War II;
       Whereas 70 percent of LSTs were built at inland shipyards 
     on the Illinois and Ohio Rivers, mainly by female 
     construction, welding, and assembly line workers;
       Whereas the first LST, commissioned on October 27, 1942, 
     was a 328-foot ship with unique characteristics of bow doors 
     and a ramp to transport troops, a reduced forward draft of 
     fewer than 4 feet for successful beaching, 9 knot speed, a 
     flat bottom, and equipped with 20-millimeter and 40-
     millimeter guns on the upper and main decks;
       Whereas the LST saw action in every theater of World War 
     II, receiving the second most battle stars after Destroyers, 
     and mission flexibility was its hallmark;
       Whereas the multiple missions performed by the LSTs 
     included not only the amphibious landings of troops, 
     vehicles, and other materiel, but also serving as motor 
     torpedo boat tenders, battle damage repair ships, aircraft 
     engine repair ships, mini-aircraft carriers, launch craft for 
     fixed wing reconnaissance aircraft, and medical care;
       Whereas LSTs led the D-Day evacuation of 41,035 wounded men 
     back across the English Channel from the Normandy beaches;
       Whereas World War II naval historian Samuel Eliot Morison 
     described the LST as the ``most useful all-around craft 
     invented by the Navy'';
       Whereas during World War II, Navy and Coast Guard sailors 
     manned the LST from the ships' combat debut in the Solomon 
     Islands in June 1943 until the end of hostilities in August 
     1945;
       Whereas LSTs were involved in the invasions of Sicily, 
     Italy, Normandy, and southern France;
       Whereas LSTs served as an essential element in the island-
     hopping campaigns in the Pacific Theater, including the 
     liberation of the Philippines and the capture of Iwo Jima and 
     Okinawa;
       Whereas the brave sailors serving on the LSTs survived 
     typhoons and other harsh weather, attacks by kamikaze planes 
     and enemy submarines, ocean mines, and the dangers and stress 
     of combat;
       Whereas the Navy's amphibious forces rolled out tons of 
     equipment and thousands of men onto the beaches at Normandy, 
     France, in June of 1944, leading the way for the massive 
     Allied invasion that wrested Europe from the power of the 
     Nazis;
       Whereas the LSTs and the sailors who manned them continued 
     to provide amphibious landing and other services for 57 years 
     following World War II, serving in the Inchon Landing and 
     other operations during the Korean war, the Vietnam war, the 
     1974 refugee evacuations from Vietnam, Operation Sea Angel to 
     provide humanitarian assistance to Bangladesh, Operation 
     Desert Shield, Operation Desert Storm, and Operation Restore 
     Hope in Somalia;
       Whereas several thousand surviving Navy and Coast Guard 
     World War II veterans are members of the United States LST 
     Association, headquartered in Oregon, Ohio;
       Whereas members of the United States LST Association and 
     the USS LST Ship Memorial, Inc., successfully secured 
     legislation that allowed for the retransfer of the LST 325 
     from Greece and volunteered members to go to Greece in 2000 
     to restore and refurbish the LST 325;
       Whereas World War II-era LST veterans sailed the LST 325 
     from Greece to the United States, arriving in Mobile, 
     Alabama, on January 10, 2001;
       Whereas the LST 325 is 1 of only 2 World War II-era LSTs to 
     be preserved in the United States, and volunteers with the 
     USS LST Ship Memorial have converted the LST 325 into an 
     operational museum and memorial ship based in Evansville, 
     Indiana, to preserve the historic legacy of these ships and 
     honor the men who bravely served their country aboard LSTs;
       Whereas the LST 325 has sailed over 9,000 miles and visited 
     13 cities since returning to the United States, and is 
     scheduled to sail up the Mississippi River in August 2008; 
     and
       Whereas the Navy decommissioned the last LST, the USS 
     Frederick (LST 1184), at a ceremony at Naval Station Pearl 
     Harbor on October 5, 2002: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) recognizes the essential role played by Landing Ship 
     Tanks (LSTs) during World War II, the Korean war, the Vietnam 
     war, Operation Desert Shield, Operation Desert Storm, and 
     many other military and humanitarian operations;
       (2) honors the service of the Navy and Coast Guard sailors 
     who bravely served their country aboard the LSTs;
       (3) acknowledges the debt modern amphibious operations owe 
     to the LST sailors and ships in pioneering the multiple 
     missions carried out by amphibious landing craft; and
       (4) commends the many volunteers of the USS LST Ship 
     Memorial who have preserved the LST 325 as a living memorial 
     in honor and remembrance of the ships and veterans in their 
     service.

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


                             General Leave

  Mr. ELLSWORTH. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all 
Members have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their 
remarks on the resolution under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Indiana?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. ELLSWORTH. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I might 
consume.
  I rise in support of House Resolution 1316, which honors the service 
of the Navy and Coast Guard veterans who served on the Landing Ship 
Tank (LST) amphibious landing craft.
  I want to thank the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. McGovern) for 
bringing this important resolution before us. As an original cosponsor 
of the measure, I'm eager for its swift passage.
  At this time, I'd like to yield such time as he may consume to the 
sponsor of House Resolution 1316, the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. 
McGovern).
  Mr. McGOVERN. Madam Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman from 
Indiana, who represents the home base of the USS LST Memorial Ship, the 
LST-325, for yielding me the time.
  Madam Speaker, I could not be more proud to see this resolution come 
before the House today for consideration. The Navy and Coast Guard 
sailors and seamen who served on these LSTs are true American heroes. 
They fought for this country in some of the most decisive battles in 
our history, from the 1940s to the early 1990s, and they deserve to be 
recognized.
  I am glad that the United States Congress will be going on record in 
commending these veterans for their service, and it's especially nice 
that this resolution comes up today before the LST veterans have their 
national convention in Washington, D.C. at the end of August.
  I want to express special appreciation to Armed Services Committee 
Chairman Ike Skelton and to Ranking Member Duncan Hunter for moving 
this bill forward in order to honor these veterans and their service.
  Madam Speaker, this resolution would not have happened without a 
number of veterans who have remained active in preserving the heritage 
of the LSTs. Peter Leasca from Worcester, Massachusetts deserves a lot 
of the credit. He has really educated me and a lot of my colleagues 
about what these ships meant to the Navy, what they meant to the Allies 
in World War II and what they meant and still mean to the people who 
served on them.
  I also want to express my gratitude to Mike and Linda Gunjak, at the 
United States LST Association, and to Captain Bob Jornlin, at the USS 
LST Memorial Ship, for all of their help, support and guidance on this 
resolution.
  A few years ago, in working with Congressman Ralph Hall, I was able 
to get language in a defense authorization bill that allowed the 
Government

[[Page 17358]]

of Greece to transfer ownership of the USS LST-325 to the USS LST 
Memorial Ship, Inc., the nonprofit organization set up by LST veterans 
to bring the LST-325 home and to turn it into an operational memorial 
and living museum.
  LST veterans went to Greece; they refurbished by the sweat of their 
own brow the LST-325, and sailed her home. Now it's here in the United 
States so that all Americans can learn about the essential role the 
LSTs played in our history and about the service and sacrifices made by 
their crews.
  World War II naval historian Samuel Eliot Morison described the LST 
as the ``most useful all-around craft invented by the Navy,'' but a lot 
of people don't fully appreciate just how important the LSTs were to 
achieving victory in World War II, not only during the D-day invasion 
but also throughout the Pacific theater, including the liberation of 
the Philippines and the capture of Iwo Jima and Okinawa. They were 
reliable and flexible just like their crews, and the image of men and 
of equipment off-loading on the beaches of Normandy is burned into the 
imagination of the American people and of all World War II-era 
veterans.
  After World War II, the LSTs were put to great use in the Korean War, 
in the Vietnam War and in other military conflicts, but they were also 
used to deliver humanitarian assistance, which helped to literally save 
the lives of thousands of people and win a lot of hearts and minds 
around the world for the United States. Beginning in World War II, when 
the LSTs evacuated over 41,000 wounded men back across the English 
Channel from Normandy, to Operation Sea Angel in Bangladesh, the LSTs 
have also been a symbol of hope to those in grave need or peril.
  On Easter Sunday morning in 1945, Peter Leasca was aboard LST-824, 
carrying men and armored vehicles onto the heavily defended beaches of 
Okinawa, just 340 miles from the Japanese mainland. He was a 20-year-
old naval medical corpsman. He witnessed the fierce fighting from the 
Japanese holding the island. He saw a kamikaze pilot slam his plane 
into the battleship USS New Mexico, killing 30 sailors and setting the 
ship ablaze.
  Now at the age of 83, this very special World War II veteran and his 
fellow LST veterans across the country are being recognized by a 
grateful Congress for their service and for the essential role the LSTs 
played so long ago.
  I thank them for their service. I thank them for their sacrifice. I 
thank them for keeping this history alive. May God bless them all.
  I would again like to thank my colleague from Indiana (Mr. Ellsworth) 
for his generosity in yielding me this time, for his leadership in this 
Congress and for his friendship.

             [From the MetroWest Daily News, July 28, 2008]

              Navy Veterans Tribute Bill Lands in Congress

                          (By Chris Bergeron)

       On Easter Sunday morning, 1945, Peter Leasca rode aboard a 
     Landing Ship, Tank or LST carrying men and armored vehicles 
     onto the heavily defended beaches of Okinawa just 340 miles 
     from the Japanese mainland.
       Throughout that day, the then-20-year-old naval medical 
     corpsman witnessed ``fierce fighting'' from Japanese 
     defenders and a Kamikaze slamming into the battleship USS New 
     Mexico, killing 30 sailors and setting it ablaze.
       Four-and-a-half months later, Japan surrendered and a year 
     after that Leasca returned home, attended college, married 
     and raised four children while working as a stockbroker.
       If all goes as planned, the 83-year-old veteran from 
     Worcester and his shrinking ``Band of Brothers'' who served 
     on amphibious vessels will be thanked by the U.S. government 
     for their service during World War II.
       Recognition has been a long time coming.
       Local World War II veterans, like Howard Rouse and Rosario 
     George Puliafico, who served aboard LSTs or similar craft, 
     are grateful for the belated recognition but hope the honors 
     extend to those in all branches who lost their lives 
     defending their country.
       ``LSTs and ships like them were the keys to victory. But a 
     lot of guys lost their lives,'' said Rouse, a Framingham 
     resident who retired after 40 years in broadcasting. ``I 
     think what they did shortened the war. I think they should be 
     recognized.''
       With an estimated 1,025 World War II veterans dying every 
     day, according to the Department of Veterans Affairs, Leasca 
     is getting closer to winning his last battle to earn 
     recognition for the men who served aboard amphibious landing 
     craft.
       ``Guys like us are a vanishing group,'' said Leasca. 
     ``We're in our twilight years.''
       On the floor of the U.S. Congress, Rep. James McGovern will 
     call for a vote Wednesday, July 30 on a resolution he 
     authored with input from naval veterans to honor all who 
     served aboard amphibious landing craft in World War II, 
     Korea, Vietnam and Operation Desert Storm through 2002.
       McGovern predicts the bill, House Resolution 1316, will 
     pass and be sent to the Senate and the President for 
     confirmation.
       McGovern said veterans, like Leasca, Rouse and Puliafico, 
     ``who served on these LSTs are true American heroes.''
       ``They fought for this country in some of the most decisive 
     battles in our history. And they deserve to be recognized,'' 
     he said.
       McGovern added the vote was scheduled for this month so it 
     would precede the LST veterans' annual convention in 
     Washington, D.C., in August.
       He credited Leasca for ``really educating me'' and 
     congressional colleagues about the contributions and 
     sacrifices made by those who served aboard amphibious 
     vehicles. U.S. Rep. William Delahunt is also one of the 
     resolution's sponsors.
       Decades after the war's end, Leasca fought a successful 
     rearguard action to honor his martial colleagues and return 
     to the U.S. the 64-year-old LST-325 from Greece, where it 
     served the Greek navy for 20 years.
       For years he's been one of the most active members and 
     former president of the Amphibious Veterans of Massachusetts.
       Leasca said the 328-foot-long LSTs lacked modern amenities 
     but inspired loyalty from the crews of about 120 men who 
     served aboard them.
       Waxing nostalgically, he recalled living on his LST as it 
     wove the arduous voyage through the Panama Canal, into 
     submarine-infested waters and on to Hawaii.
       ``We went up and down, rocked left and right. Sometimes it 
     got pretty rough,'' Leasca remembered. ``It was a long voyage 
     like an ocean cruiser. I saw porpoises and sights I'd never 
     seen before.''
       He pointed out the World War II naval historian Samuel 
     Eliot Morrison described LSTs as ``the most useful all-around 
     craft invented by the Navy.''
       As time passes and veterans of amphibious craft fade away, 
     Leasca ``wants to do everything I can for the ungainly ships 
     and the men who sailed them into combat.
       ``I want to do something for all the vets of America,'' he 
     said. ``And I want to give recognition to a glamorous ship. 
     Too often, historians don't mention the LSTs. So we've got to 
     toot our own horn to get recognition.''
       For more information about the Amphibious Veterans of 
     Massachusetts, visit www.amphibvetsofma.org.
       To read the text of House Resolution 1316 and to check on 
     its status, go to the Library Congress Web site, http://
thomas.loc.gov, and type in H. Res. 1316 in the search 
     engine.
                                  ____


                       USS Henry County (LST-824)

       The USS Henry County (LST-824) was an LST-542-class tank 
     landing ship built for the United States Navy during World 
     War II. Named for counties in Alabama, Georgia, Illinois, 
     Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Ohio, Tennessee, and Virginia, she 
     was the only U.S. Naval vessel to bear the name.
       Originally laid down as LST-824 by the Missouri Valley 
     Bridge & Iron Company of Evansville, Indiana on 28 September 
     1944; launched 8 November; sponsored by Mrs. Harry W. Groot; 
     and commissioned 30 November with Lieutenant Jesse D. Jones 
     in command. After shakedown off Florida, LST-824 departed New 
     Orleans 4 January 1945 for San Diego, arriving there on the 
     24th. She embarked 107 ``bluejackets,'' then sailed for Pearl 
     Harbor 26 January. During February she performed training 
     exercises out of Hawaii, then loaded troops and equipment to 
     depart Pearl Harbor 12 March. For the next month she steamed 
     through the Pacific, stopping at Eniwetok, Guam, and Saipan 
     before proceeding to Okinawa. American forces were already 
     engaged in the fierce struggle to wrestle Okinawa from enemy 
     control when LST-824 departed Saipan 12 April. Five days 
     later she arrived off China Wan and commenced discharging 
     troops and equipment on the embattled island. The landing 
     ship returned to Saipan 27 April for reinforcement troops and 
     cargo, and again steamed for Okinawa. For the remainder of 
     World War II, she shuttled supplies between Okinawa and the 
     Philippines in preparation for a possible invasion of Japan. 
     After the Japanese surrender, LST-824 operated with 
     occupation forces in the Far East until sailing for the 
     United States in November. Arriving Portland, Oregon on 5 
     December, she decommissioned there 15 May 1946 and joined the 
     Pacific Reserve Fleet. While berthed with the Columbia River 
     Group, LST-824 was named USS Henry County (LST-824) on 1 July 
     1955.
       Henry County recommissioned 5 September 1959 with 
     Lieutenant R. L. Dodd in command. After refresher training, 
     L8T-824 departed the West Coast 19 March 1960 for the Far 
     East, arriving Yokosuka 2 weeks later. During the next 4 
     months she transported

[[Page 17359]]

     supplies, performed training exercises with U.S. Marines, and 
     engaged in joint operations with Korean forces before 
     returning to Long Beach 19 August. Following 20 months of 
     operations along the West Coast, Henry County sailed for the 
     mid-Pacific in April, 1962 then performed transport and 
     amphibious duties out of Hawaii. In September she was 
     assigned to Task Force 8 for the nuclear tests in ``Operation 
     Dominic.'' Since the tests were considered vital to the 
     nation's security, the Navy demonstrated her ability once 
     again to keep pace with the advances of technology developed 
     to maintain peace through strength. From December, 1962 
     through December, 1964 Henry County performed amphibious 
     training operations off the California coast. Decommissioned 
     (date unknown), the ship was struck from the Naval Vessel 
     Register 11 April 1975. Subsequently transferred to Malaysia 
     and renamed Sri Banggi (A 1501), her final fate is unknown.
       LST-824 received one battle star for World War II service 
     and four battle stars for Vietnam service.
                                  ____


                              USS LST-325


            Crete to USA (2000-2001)--Original Sailing Crew

       James Bartlett, Marble Falls, TX; John Calvin, Dunnellon, 
     FL; Jackson R. Carter, Palos Verdes, CA; Donald Chapman, E. 
     Moline, IL; James Edwards, Canton, TX; Corbin Fowkes, New 
     Bethlehem, PA; William ``Rocky'' Hill, Surprise, AZ; Norval 
     Jones, Auburn Hill, MI; Capt. Robert Jornlin, Earlville, IL; 
     Donald K. Lockas, Marseilles, IL; Gary Lyon, Roseville, MN; 
     Joseph Milakovich, Wauwatosa, WI; Ronald. Maranto, Metairie, 
     LA; and James F. McCandrew, Sebastian, FL.
       Richard Meyer, Lincoln, NE; Don Molzahn, Sr., La Crosse, 
     WI; Hichael Nedeff, Huber Heights, OH; Bill Nickerson, 
     Margate, FL; Dominick Perruso, Easton, PA; Joe Sadler, 
     Ketchikan, AK; Harold Slemmons, Lone Oak, TX; Paul L. 
     Stimpson, Lock Haven, PA; Edward Strobel, Decatur, IL; Dewey 
     L. Taylor, W. Palm Beach, FL; Bruce Voges, Oakwood, IL; 
     Albert J. White, Roswell, NM; Lauren Whiting, Barker, NY; and 
     Bailey M. Wrinkle, McKenzie, TN.


                         Overseas Support Crew

       The following crewmembers went overseas at their own 
     expense to participate in preparing LST 325 for its voyage 
     home. They actively participated in Crete and/or in 
     Gibraltar; some sailed on the ship from Crete to Gibraltar.
       Ernest Andrus, Art Cook, Glenn Gregg, Lee R. Hunter, 
     Raymond Mai, William Reinard, Edward J. Whitman, Thomas 
     Cadigan, Edward Dyar, Les K. Harrison, Lee James, Jack W. 
     Melcher, Gerald Robertson, David Williams, John Chooljian, 
     William Gollan, William Hart, Richard James, John H. Michaud, 
     L. Scheiderman, Richard Young, Frank Conway, Richard Gouker, 
     Fred Holp, Jim Liverca, Ernest Pliscott, George H. White, and 
     Roald Zvonik.


                 USS LST 325 Original World War II Crew

       The following are surviving crewmembers from USS LST 325's 
     original World War II crew who have been located:
       Harold Allgaier, Casper, WY; Clester Brown, Norfolk, VA; 
     Ted Duning, Lewisburg, TN; Frances Fischer, Delpos, OH; Bill 
     Hanley, Lavallette, NJ; Howard Kramer, Jackson, MI; Richard 
     Martin, York, PA; Ed Nekiunas, South Windsor, CT; Don Roy, 
     Chanhassen, MN; Harold Westerfield, Sun City, AZ; Stan 
     Barish, Pittsburgh, PA; Lander Bumgarner, Maiden, NC; 
     Ellsworth Easterly, Litchfield, IL; Ralph Gard, Munster, IN; 
     Leo Horton, Seneca, SC; Bob Lemieux, Leominster, MA; C.J. 
     Mitchell,Centralia, IL; Walt Niewinski, Lake Grove, NY; and 
     Howard Russell, Baltimore, MD.
       Gerard Belanger, Nashua, NH; Larry Cauthen, Rome, GA; Ira 
     Ehrensall, Boca Raton, FL; Paul Genander, Beachwood, NJ; 
     Lloyd Jacobs, Brock, MA; Dale MacKay, Center Barnstead, NH; 
     Gerry Murphy, Clay, NY; Ernie Ninness, Holmes Beach, FL; Dick 
     Scacchetti, Sarasota, FL; Al Binkowski, Plainville, CT; 
     Chester Conway, Hammond, IN; Norm Ferguson, Norfolk, VA; Jack 
     Green, Avalon, CA; Emil Kolar, Springfield, IL; Don Martin, 
     Fargo, ND; Steve Nedoroscki, Milbury, MA; John Roberts, 
     Faribault, MN; and Al Smith, Burleigh, NJ.

  Mrs. DRAKE. Madam Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I might 
consume.
  I rise today in support of House Resolution 1316, which not only 
honors the service of the Navy and Coast Guard veterans who for 60 
years served on the LST amphibious landing craft from World War II 
onward, but it also recognizes the key role played by LST amphibious 
craft.
  During World War II, the LST met the urgent requirement of the Allied 
Forces for a new vessel, a vessel that was capable of the shore-to-
shore delivery of vehicles and troops while conducting an amphibious 
assault upon the enemy. Between 1942 and 1943, three separate acts of 
Congress authorized the construction of these LSTs, and over 1,000 LSTs 
were built during World War II.
  These landing craft saw action in every theater of World War II. LSTs 
played an essential role during the D-day campaign of June 1944. Not 
only were they the first line of troop transports onto the beaches, but 
they completed an evacuation of 41,035 wounded men back across the 
English Channel. LSTs landed on the beaches of places like Sicily, the 
Philippines, Iwo Jima, Okinawa, and countless others. They survived 
kamikaze attacks, ocean mines and enemy submarine attacks. These 
remarkable vessels and their sailors earned the second most battle 
stars after destroyers.
  During the Korean war, LSTs landed at Inchon. In the Vietnam war, 
they participated in the 1974 refugee evacuations. Also, LSTs provided 
humanitarian assistance during Operation Desert Shield, Operation 
Desert Storm and Operation Restore Hope in Somalia.

                              {time}  2030

  To honor such valued service, LST veterans, members of the LST 
Association, gained approval, through legislation, to sail the 
refurbished LST 325 back from Greece to the United States to transform 
the ship into a museum. They completed their sail on January 10, 2001, 
in Mobile, Alabama. Now the ship is based in Evansville, Indiana, as 
the USS LST Ship Memorial. The Navy decommissioned the last active LST, 
the USS Frederick, at Naval Station Pearl Harbor on October 5, 2002.
  Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this most worthy 
resolution. It is impossible to express how essential these LSTs were 
during World War II and continuing until the early 21st century. These 
remarkable sailors of these ships should be recognized for their 
dedication, bravery, and loyalty to their Navy and their Nation. We 
should applaud them today, and every day.
  I want to thank my colleague from Massachusetts (Mr. McGovern) for 
introducing this legislation.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. ELLSWORTH. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  First I'd like to thank the gentlelady from Virginia for her 
leadership on this special legislation. I would also like to thank the 
gentleman from Massachusetts for introducing this House Resolution 
honoring the Landing Ship Tank, LST, not only for this resolution and 
his dedication to our veterans, but also for his dedicated service in 
bringing LST 325 back to the United States from Greece, which ended up 
landing in my hometown.
  The LST, Madam Speaker, has a rich and shared history with my 
hometown of Evansville, Indiana. During World War II, a 45-acre 
shipyard along the Evansville riverfront produced LSTs. The peak years 
of production saw a workforce of over 19,000 workers, and they 
completed two LSTs per week. The Evansville Shipyard was the largest 
inland producer of the LST in the United States. And when all was said 
and done, 167 LSTs and 35 other vessels were built and then sent down 
the Ohio River and then out to sea.
  Madam Speaker, I would like to briefly recount the heroic and 
inspiring story of the LST 325. The utility and reliability of LSTs and 
the strong bond developed by their crews has fostered a vibrant and 
active veterans' association. These brave men, proud of the service and 
the craft they served on, secured legislation for the refurbishment of 
LST 325 and for the ship's retransfer to the United States from Greece, 
where it had been since the early 1960s.
  Having set sail from Greece on November 14, 2000, the LST 325 arrived 
in Mobile, Alabama, on January 10, 2001--to a great American fanfare I 
might add. In 2003, during a 10-day stop in Evansville, 35,000 people 
toured the LST 325. It was with great civic pride that Evansville 
became the official home port of the LST 325 on October 3, 2005. The 
LST 325 is now an operational museum and a memorial ship on the 
beautiful Evansville riverfront.
  This effort would not have been possible if not for the efforts of 
Evansville's Mayor, Jonathan Weinzapfel,

[[Page 17360]]

and city officials who worked closely with Captain Bob Jornlin and Mike 
Whicker with the USS LST 325 Memorial. The city and the LST 325 
Memorial have formed a great partnership, and I'm proud of their 
efforts. Evansville will proudly host the LST Week 2008 on September 24 
through September 27 of this year, 2008.
  Madam Speaker, the Navy decommissioned the last LST, the USS 
Frederick (LST 1184) in October of 2002, but the heroic service of the 
LST crews and the brilliant record of their craft will not soon be 
forgotten.
  I urge my colleagues to support House Resolution 1316.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mrs. DRAKE. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. ELLSWORTH. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Ellsworth) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 1316.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. ELLSWORTH. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.

                          ____________________