III 

110TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION S. RES. 648 

Recognizing the 50th anniversary of the crossing of the North Pole by 

the USS Nautilus (SSN 571) and its significance in the history of 

both our Nation and the world. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

AUGUST 1, 2008 

Mr. DODD (for himself, Mr. LIEBERMAN, Mr. REED, and Mr. WHITEHOUSE) 

submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee 

on Armed Services 

SEPTEMBER 22 (legislative day, SEPTEMBER 17), 2008 

Committee discharged; considered and agreed to 

RESOLUTION 

Recognizing the 50th anniversary of the crossing of the 

North Pole by the USS Nautilus (SSN 571) and its 

significance in the history of both our Nation and the 

world. 

Whereas the USS Nautilus (SSN 571), built and launched at 

Electric Boat in Groton, Connecticut, on January 21, 

1954, was the first vessel in the world to be powered by 

nuclear power; 

Whereas the USS Nautilus overcame extreme difficulties of 

navigation and maneuverability while submerged under 

the polar ice, and became the first vessel to cross the geographic North Pole on August 3, 1958; 


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SRES 648 ATS 

Whereas the USS Nautilus continued on her voyage and became the first vessel to successfully navigate a course 

across the top of the world; 

Whereas the USS Nautilus, having claimed this historic milestone and returned home to Naval Submarine Base New 

London, continued to establish a series of naval records 

in her distinguished 25-year career, including being the 

first submarine to journey ‘‘20,000 leagues under the 

sea’’; 

Whereas the USS Nautilus completed these significant and 

laudable achievements during a critical phase of the Cold 

War, providing a source of inspiration for Americans and 

raising the hopes of the Free World; 

Whereas the USS Nautilus was the first naval vessel in 

peacetime to receive the Presidential Unit Citation for its 

meritorious efforts in crossing the North Pole; 

Whereas Commander William R. Anderson of the United 

States Navy was awarded the Legion of Merit for his role 

in commanding the USS Nautilus during its historic voyage; 

Whereas the USS Nautilus and its contribution to world history was praised by a range of American Presidents, including President Harry Truman, President Dwight D. 

Eisenhower, President Lyndon B. Johnson, President 

Jimmy Carter, and President Bill Clinton; and 

Whereas President Eisenhower described the voyage to the 

North Pole as a ‘‘magnificent achievement’’ from which 

‘‘the entire free world would benefit’’: Now, therefore, be 

it 

1 Resolved, That the Senate— 


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SRES 648 ATS 

1 (1) recognizes the historic significance of the 

2 journey to the North Pole undertaken by the USS 

3 Nautilus; 

4 (2) commends the officers and crew of the USS 

5 Nautilus on the 50th anniversary of their magnifi6 cent achievement; 

7 (3) recognizes the importance of the USS Nau8 tilus’ journey to the North Pole as not only a mili9 tary and scientific accomplishment, but also in con10 firming America’s longstanding interest in this vital 

11 region of the world; 

12 (4) commends the role of the USS Nautilus and 

13 the United States Submarine Force in protecting the 

14 interests of the free world during the Cold War; and 

15 (5) supports the continuing role of the United 

16 States Submarine Force in defending our Nation in 

17 the 21st century. 

Æ 


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