[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 9]
[Senate]
[Pages 12123-12124]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    CHRISTENING OF THE USS SOMERSET

  Mr. TOOMEY. Mr. President, this Saturday, July 28, 2012, the U.S. 
Navy will perform a christening ceremony in New Orleans for the future 
USS Somerset. The USS Somerset is a special ship, bearing the name of 
the Southwest Pennsylvania county where United Airlines Flight 93 
crashed on September 11, 2001.
  On that infamous day, a group of defiant and determined Americans 
challenged a group of al-Qaida hijackers hell bent on crashing the 
plane into the U.S. Capitol, the White House, or another sensitive DC-
area target. The terrorists' goal was not achieved, thanks to the 
bravery of the Americans onboard. We will never forget their actions in 
the face of horror.
  The USS Somerset will serve as an ongoing emblem of their heroism as 
it races to the aid of our friends and defends American liberty against 
our

[[Page 12124]]

foes. This ship also embodies the American spirit local Pennsylvanians 
demonstrated shortly after the crash, when they raised the Stars and 
Stripes atop a dragline near the crash site as an unforgettable symbol 
of our country's resolve during a time of national sorrow.
  Wherever the USS Somerset goes, so will a piece of southwest 
Pennsylvania. The bow of the ship includes steel from the dragline 
adjacent to the crash site in Stonycreek Township, where it was a 
silent witness to an indelible act of American courage and strength in 
defiance of those who would do us harm.
  I wish the U.S. Navy and the future crew of the USS Somerset safe 
travels and successful missions defending America and freedom 
worldwide.

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