III 

118TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION S. RES. 650 

Recognizing the anniversary of the establishment of the United States Naval 

Construction Force, known as the ‘‘Seabees’’, and the tremendous sacrifices and contributions by the Seabees who have fought and served 

on behalf of our country. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

APRIL 18, 2024 

Mr. WHITEHOUSE (for himself, Mr. WICKER, Mr. REED, and Mrs. HYDESMITH) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 

Committee on Armed Services 

RESOLUTION 

Recognizing the anniversary of the establishment of the 

United States Naval Construction Force, known as the 

‘‘Seabees’’, and the tremendous sacrifices and contributions by the Seabees who have fought and served on 

behalf of our country. 

Whereas, on January 5, 1942, the first United States Naval 

Construction units were authorized by the Department of 

the Navy; 

Whereas, on March 5, 1942, the United States Naval Construction Force (referred to in this preamble as ‘‘Seabees’’) was granted official permission by the Navy to use 

the name ‘‘Seabees’’; 


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•SRES 650 IS 

Whereas, in 1942, Frank J. Iafrate, a native of North Providence, Rhode Island, who later joined the Seabees as a 

Chief Carpenter’s Mate, designed the ‘‘Fighting Bee’’ 

logo that is still used by the Seabees in 2024; 

Whereas, for more than 80 years, the Seabees have built 

bases, airfields, roads, bridges, fueling stations, and other 

infrastructure, both on land and underwater, in support 

of the Navy and Marine Corps; 

Whereas the motto of the Seabees, ‘‘Construimus, 

Batuimus’’, Latin for ‘‘We Build, We Fight’’, reflects the 

indispensable dual role of the Seabees in building critical 

warfighting infrastructure and defending the United 

States in combat; 

Whereas the ingenuity, improvisation, and entrepreneurial 

spirit of the Seabees has given the Armed Forces a strategic advantage and contributed to countless successes on 

the battlefield for the United States since World War II; 

Whereas the Seabees have served as goodwill ambassadors 

across the globe, performing humanitarian and civic action projects to— 

(1) improve access to sanitation, drinking water, and 

utilities; 

(2) build schools, hospitals, and roads; and 

(3) provide emergency relief in the aftermath of 

major disasters; 

Whereas, with courage, creativity, and a ‘‘can-do’’ attitude, 

the Seabees have helped to build both critical infrastructure and valued friendships around the world; and 

Whereas March 5, 2024, is the 82nd anniversary of the establishment of the Seabees: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the Senate— 


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•SRES 650 IS 

1 (1) acknowledges and expresses thanks for the 

2 thousands of members of the United States Naval 

3 Construction Force (referred to in this resolution as 

4 ‘‘Seabees’’) who, through ingenuity, strength, cour5 age, and perseverance, have protected the United 

6 States and improved the lives of countless people in 

7 the United States and around the world; 

8 (2) honors the courage and sacrifices of those 

9 members of the Seabees who have perished in de10 fense of the United States; 

11 (3) expresses unending gratitude for the many 

12 sacrifices made by the families of members of the 

13 Seabees; and 

14 (4) proudly recognizes the 82nd anniversary of 

15 the establishment of the Seabees. 

Æ 


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