III

106TH CONGRESS

2D SESSION S. RES. 373

Recognizing the 225th birthday of the United States Navy.

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

OCTOBER 12 (legislative day, SEPTEMBER 22), 2000

Mr. LUGAR (for himself, Mr. MCCAIN, Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire, Mr.

WARNER, Mr. MOYNIHAN, Mr. ROBB, Mr. COCHRAN, Mr. KERREY, and

Mr. MILLER) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to

the Committee on Armed Services

RESOLUTION

Recognizing the 225th birthday of the United States Navy.

Whereas on Friday, October 13, 1775, the Continental Congress, representing the citizens of 13 American colonies,

passed a resolution which stated ‘‘That a swift sailing

vessel, to carry ten carriage guns, and a proportionable

number of swivels, with eighty men, be fitted, with all

possible dispatch, for a cruise of three months, and that

the commander be instructed to cruise eastward, for

intercepting such transports as may be laden with warlike stores and other supplies for our enemies, and for

such other purposes as the Congress shall direct.’’;

Whereas the founders recognized the essential nature of a

Navy to the strength and longevity of the Nation by pro-
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viding authority to Congress ‘‘To provide and maintain a

Navy’’ in article I of the Constitution;

Whereas a Naval Committee was established to build a fitting

Navy for our fledgling country, acquire and fit out vessels

for sea, and draw up regulations;

Whereas the Continental Navy began a proud tradition, carried out for 225 years by our United States Navy, to protect our island Nation and pursue the causes of freedom

we hold so dear;

Whereas, for the past 225 years, the central mission of the

Navy has been to protect the interests of our Nation

around the world on the high seas, to fight and win the

wars of our Nation, and to maintain control of the sea

lines of communication enabling this Nation and other

free nations to grow and prosper;

Whereas, whether in peace or at war, United States citizens

around the world can rest assured that the United States

Navy is on watch, ever vigilant, and ready to respond;

Whereas, for the past 225 years, Navy men and women, as

both ambassadors and warriors, have won extraordinary

distinction and respect for the Nation and its Navy on

the high seas, among the ocean depths, on distant shores,

and in the skies above;

Whereas the core values of ‘‘Honor, Courage, and Commitment’’ are the guides by which United States sailors live

and serve;

Whereas the United States Navy today is the most capable,

most respected, and most effective sea service in the

world;

Whereas 75 percent of the land masses in the world are

bounded by water and 75 percent of the population of the
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world lives within 100 miles of the sea, assuring that our

Naval forces will continue to be called upon to respond

to emerging crises, to maintain freedom of the sea, to

deter would-be aggressors, and to provide our allies with

a visible reassurance of the support of the United States

of America; and

Whereas, no matter what the cause, location, or magnitude

of future conflicts, the Nation can rely on its Navy to

produce well-trained, well-led, and highly motivated sailors to carry out the missions entrusted to them: Now,

therefore, be it

1 Resolved, That the Senate—

2 (1) recognizes the historic significance of the

3 225th birthday of the United States Navy;

4 (2) expresses the appreciation of the people of

5 the United States to the Navy, and the men and

6 women who have served in the Navy, for 225 years

7 of dedicated service;

8 (3) honors the courage, commitment, and sac9 rifice that Americans have made throughout the his10 tory of the Navy; and

11 (4) gives special thanks to the extended Navy

12 family of civilians, family members, and loved ones

13 who have served and supported the Navy for the

14 past 225 years.

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