[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 20]
[House]
[Pages 26735-26737]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




              COMMISSIONING OF THE USS ``NEW YORK'' LPD 21

  Mr. TAYLOR. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the resolution (H. Res. 856) recognizing the Commissioning of the USS 
New York LPD 21.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 856

       Whereas, on September 11, 2001, terrorists hijacked four 
     civilian aircraft, crashing two of them into the twin towers 
     of the World Trade Center in New York City, a third into the 
     Pentagon, and a fourth near Shanksville, Pennsylvania;
       Whereas nearly 3,000 people were killed on September 11, 
     2001, in the most lethal terrorist attack ever committed 
     against the United States;
       Whereas then-Governor George Pataki requested the Navy name 
     a ship involved in counterterrorism efforts after the State 
     of New York shortly after September 11, 2001;
       Whereas, on September 6, 2002, the Secretary of the Navy 
     announced the name of the fifth vessel of the San Antonio-
     class Amphibious Transport Dock ships would be named USS New 
     York LPD 21;
       Whereas, on March 1, 2008, the USS New York LPD 21 was 
     christened at the Avondale Shipyard in Avondale, Louisiana, 
     by Mrs. Dotty England, in a ceremony attended by officials of 
     the New York City fire and police departments as well as 
     surviving family and friends of those lost on September 11, 
     2001;
       Whereas the USS New York LPD 21's bow is comprised of 7.5 
     tons of steel forged from the wreckage of the World Trade 
     Center and

[[Page 26736]]

     erected onto the vessel in conjunction with a dignified 
     ceremony conducted on September 9, 2003, and attended by 
     officials of the New York City fire and police departments as 
     well as surviving family and friends of those lost on 
     September 11, 2001;
       Whereas the USS New York LPD 21 is the newest entry to the 
     Navy's fleet of San Antonio-class Amphibious Transport Dock 
     (LPD) warships;
       Whereas the USS New York LPD 21 will serve as an integral 
     part of Navy and Marine Corps Expeditionary Strike Groups and 
     will be able to deploy 700 Marines and associated equipment 
     of the Strike Group Marine Expeditionary Unit;
       Whereas the USS New York LPD 21's primary mission will be 
     to deploy amphibious assault capability anywhere in the 
     world, on short notice, and that this force is the only force 
     in the United States Armed Forces with such capability, and 
     that such amphibious operation is central and key to 
     suppression of terrorist organizations;
       Whereas the USS New York LPD 21 displaces 24,900 tons at 
     sea, with the capability of cruising at speeds in excess of 
     22 knots;
       Whereas everyday, the men and women of the United States 
     Armed Forces continue global efforts to protect and defend 
     the United States;
       Whereas nearly 10 percent of the commissioning crew of USS 
     New York LPD 21 hail from the Empire State;
       Whereas the USS New York LPD 21 has a main passageway 
     dubbed ``Broadway'', the ship's insignia references the 
     Statue of Liberty, the Twin Towers, the New York Police 
     Department, and the Fire Department of New York, and the 
     galley features a pre-9/11 neon outline of the city;
       Whereas the motto of the USS New York LPD 21 is ``Strength 
     Forged Through Sacrifice. Never Forget''; and
       Whereas the USS New York LPD 21 will be officially 
     commissioned November 7, 2009, Commander F. Curtis Jones, 
     United States Navy, commanding, a native son of New York, in 
     New York waters on Pier 88 on the West Side of New York City 
     next to the USS Intrepid CV 11: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) recognizes the commissioning of the USS New York LPD 
     21;
       (2) congratulates the captain and commissioning crew of the 
     USS New York LPD 21 on the occasion of their vessel entering 
     into the service of the United States Navy;
       (3) recognizes the sacrifices made by the men and women in 
     uniform who put themselves in harm's way in order to protect 
     and defend the United States;
       (4) honors those who lost their lives at the World Trade 
     Center, the Pentagon, and Shanksville, Pennsylvania, on 
     September 11, 2001; and
       (5) recommits itself to the counter-terrorism mission of 
     the USS New York LPD 21 and all the members of the United 
     States Armed Forces.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Mississippi (Mr. Taylor) and the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Lamborn) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Mississippi.


                             General Leave

  Mr. TAYLOR. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days in 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 Mississippi?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. TAYLOR. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I rise today to support House Resolution 856, recognizing the 
commissioning of the USS New York. I would like to thank my colleague, 
the gentleman from New York (Mr. Nadler), for his work in bringing this 
resolution to the floor.
  The attacks in New York, Washington, and Pennsylvania on September 
11, 2001, will live on in American memory as one of the darkest days in 
our Nation's history. We can never forget the images of the members of 
the New York City Fire Department and Police Department, as well as 
other first responders, who demonstrated unsurpassed courage and 
bravery as they worked day and night to retrieve and rescue victims 
from Ground Zero. In the days shortly after September 11, Governor 
George Pataki asked the Navy to name a ship involved in 
counterterrorism after the State of New York to honor the sacrifice and 
strength of the people lost that fateful day.
  On November 7, 2009, the fifth San Antonio-class amphibious transport 
dock ship will be commissioned as the USS New York LPD 21. The ship's 
bow is comprised of 7\1/2\ tons of steel forged from the World Trade 
Center wreckage. F. Curtis Jones, a native son of New York, will serve 
as Commander. The USS New York will be able to deploy 700 marines and 
equipment to execute amphibious assault capability anywhere in the 
world on a moment's notice. This ability is critical to our ongoing 
efforts to suppress terrorist organizations, as well as protect and 
defend the United States of America.
  Madam Speaker, I hope my colleagues will join me in congratulating 
the captain and commissioning crew of the USS New York as their ship 
joins the United States Navy by supporting H. Res. 856.
  As a Mississippian, I want to commend the Mississippi, Louisiana, 
Texas, and Alabama shipbuilders who built this fine vessel.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. LAMBORN. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Madam Speaker, I rise in support of House Resolution 856, which was 
introduced by the gentleman from New York (Mr. Nadler).
  This resolution recognizes the commissioning of the USS New York, the 
newest of the U.S. Navy's San Antonio-class ships known as the landing 
platform dock, or LPD.

                              {time}  1530

  As has already been stated by my colleague, this is no ordinary 
commissioning. On Monday this week, it arrived in New York Harbor to 
fanfare, including a 21-gun salute near the site of the 2001 terrorist 
attack.
  It was September 2002, in a ceremony aboard the USS Intrepid in New 
York City, that then-Secretary of the Navy Gordon England announced the 
decision to name the fifth amphibious ship of the San Antonio class the 
New York. During the ceremony, Secretary England stated, ``USS New York 
will project American power to the far corners of the Earth and support 
the cause of freedom well into the 21st century. From the war for 
independence through the war on terrorism, which we wage today, the 
courage and heroism of the people of New York have been an 
inspiration.''
  During that same ceremony in 2002, Governor Pataki highlighted one 
special aspect of this new ship: ``We are very proud that the twisted 
steel from the World Trade Center towers will soon be used to forge an 
even stronger national defense. The USS New York will soon be defending 
freedom and combating terrorism around the globe while also ensuring 
that the world never forgets the evil attacks of September 11, 2001, 
and the courage and strength New Yorkers showed in response to 
terror.''
  I am honored to speak in favor of this resolution, and I urge my 
colleagues to join me in support of House Resolution 856.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. TAYLOR. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to my 
friend and colleague, the original sponsor of this measure, the 
gentleman from New York (Mr. Nadler).
  Mr. NADLER of New York. I thank the gentleman for yielding.
  Madam Speaker, I rise in support of this resolution recognizing the 
commissioning of the USS New York LPD 21.
  When the USS New York is commissioned on Saturday, it will serve as a 
memorial of September 11, 2001, in more than just name. Its bow, made 
from 7.5 tons of steel forged from the wreckage of the World Trade 
Center, will serve as evidence of America's persistent determination.
  This ship will serve in our Navy, will serve to defend freedom, and 
will serve to recognize the fearless amongst us, those who willingly 
sacrifice their safety in order to protect our own and our freedom. The 
bravery and dedication of our men and women in uniform serving overseas 
never cease to amaze me and can never be forgotten.
  I want to commend the captain, Commander Curt Jones, a native New 
Yorker, and the crew of the USS New York and the United States Navy on 
the

[[Page 26737]]

commissioning of our newest naval vessel. The presence of the USS New 
York in the naval fleet will serve as a constant reminder of the 
sacrifices made by so many Americans on September 11, 2001.
  The Navy should be commended for naming the ship the USS New York and 
for naming two future San Antonio class vessels, the USS Somerset and 
the USS Arlington, currently under construction in honor of those who 
gave their lives defending the country at the Pentagon and on United 
Flight 93 on September 11. This is a fitting tribute to our fallen 
friends.
  Thousands died on September 11, 2001, at the World Trade Center, at 
the Pentagon, and near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, and many more police, 
firefighters, first responders, residents, workers, school children, 
and others continue to suffer terrible health consequences as a result 
of the collapse of the World Trade Center towers because of the attacks 
by the terrorists.
  I want to take a brief moment today to note and to urge my colleagues 
to support the 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, H.R. 847, which would 
provide health care and a path to compensation for the first responders 
and community members who still suffer the effects of that terrible 
attack. We ought to honor their continuing sacrifices today as well.
  I would like to thank the entire New York delegation who joined me as 
original cosponsors of this resolution, and also all the additional 
cosponsors of H. Res. 856 who, by their actions, have helped us move 
this resolution so quickly to the House floor. I must also thank 
Chairman Skelton and his staff for their help in crafting the 
resolution and building support for its passage. Furthermore, I was 
pleased that we were able to do this in a bipartisan fashion, and I 
want to thank Ranking Member McKeon for cosponsoring the resolution as 
well.
  I am proud to say there are some things that rise above partisan 
politics. Supporting our troops, honoring those who defend us, and 
honoring the victims of September 11 is neither Democratic nor 
Republican; it is simply American. This resolution can be characterized 
the same way. I urge everyone to support it.
  Mr. LAMBORN. Madam Speaker, I am once again urging all of my 
colleagues to support this wonderful resolution. I am proud that I can 
do so as well.
  Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. TAYLOR. Madam Speaker, again, I would like to thank the 
gentleman--one of the many gentle men and women from the State of New 
York--for introducing this resolution, and I encourage every Member to 
vote for it.
  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 Mississippi (Mr. Taylor) that the House suspend the 
rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 856.
  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. NADLER of New York. 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.

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