[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 16554]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   CELEBRATING THE CHRISTENING OF THE USS ``GERALD R. FORD,'' CVN 78

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. GARY C. PETERS

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 30, 2013

  Mr. PETERS of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 
christening of the USS Gerald R. Ford, CVN 78, the first in a new class 
of supercarriers. The ship will be officially christened November 9th 
by the former President's only daughter, who is the ships sponsor, at 
Newport News Shipyard in Virginia.
  It is a fitting tribute to the life and legacy of our 38th President 
that this new ship, which will be the most powerful warship to ever 
sail the seas, carries his name.
  The USS Gerald R. Ford is over 1100 ft long, has a flight deck of 
approximately 4 acres, displaces 100,000 tons with a complement of 
4,660 Sailors. It is a magnificent vessel which will serve the nation 
for the next 50 years; proudly carrying the name of our former 
President from my home state of Michigan.
  As a former Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Navy Reserve, I know 
that this upcoming ceremony will be a great day for our nation, this 
House where President Ford served for 25 years, our Navy, and the State 
of Michigan as a favorite son is afforded his rightful place in naval 
history.
  The USS Gerald R. Ford is scheduled to enter active service to the 
Navy in 2015 after completion of construction by our friends the master 
shipbuilders in Newport News, VA.

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