III 

117TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION S. RES. 533 

Celebrating the centennial of Navy aircraft carriers. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

MARCH 3, 2022 

Mr. KAINE (for himself and Mr. WARNER) submitted the following resolution; 

which was referred to the Committee on Armed Services 

RESOLUTION 

Celebrating the centennial of Navy aircraft carriers. 

Whereas 100 years ago, on March 20, 1922, following a 2- 

year conversion at Norfolk Naval Shipyard, the former 

USS Jupiter (Collier #3) was recommissioned as USS 

Langley (CV–1), the first aircraft carrier of the Navy; 

Whereas USS Langley began as an experimental platform, 

laying the foundation for the future shipboard operations 

of aircraft; 

Whereas, in fleet exercises beginning in 1924, the USS Langley, appropriately nicknamed the ‘‘Covered Wagon’’, demonstrated the potential of the aircraft carrier as an invaluable weapons system that would transform how the 

Navy fought at sea; 

Whereas, for the past 100 years, aircraft carriers have been 

the preeminent power projection platform for the Navy 


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•SRES 533 IS 

and have furthered United States interest in times of war 

and peace; 

Whereas, from the great naval battles in the Pacific Ocean 

during World War II to strike and close air support missions in the battlegrounds of the Korean Peninsula and 

Vietnam, the execution of joint force operations over the 

sands of the Middle East, and present-day deterrence in 

numerous locations around the world, aircraft carriers 

have proven time and again that they invaluable in supporting the strategic goals of the United States; 

Whereas, with an unequaled ability to provide warfighting capabilities across the full spectrum of conflict and to adapt 

in the face of ever-changing threats, aircraft carriers and 

their embarked air wings and associated strike groups 

are the foundation of United States maritime strategy; 

Whereas aircraft carriers enable the Armed Forces to carry 

out operations from international waters, often obviating 

the need to obtain flyover and land-based rights from 

other countries; 

Whereas Nimitz and Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carriers 

are modern, mobile military bases each complete with an 

airfield, a hospital, and a hardened communications system from which the United States can strike at enemies, 

wherever and whenever it chooses; 

Whereas there are more than 2,450 companies in 48 States 

and more than 364 congressional districts and more than 

13,100 individuals, who proudly contribute to the construction and maintenance of these complex and technologically advanced ships; and 


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•SRES 533 IS 

Whereas countless members of the Armed Forces have served 

the United States aboard aircraft carriers in war, peace, 

and times of crisis: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the Senate— 

2 (1) recognizes that aircraft carriers continue to 

3 be a cornerstone of the Navy and play a vital role 

4 in the defense of the United States; 

5 (2) acknowledges that, in a time of great power 

6 competition that the world has not seen for over 30 

7 years, aircraft carriers will continue to be an abso8 lutely vital strategic platform that the United States 

9 can wield to ensure security and stability throughout 

10 the world, now and well into the future; 

11 (3) in this 100th year since USS Langley (CV– 

12 1) was commissioned at Norfolk Naval Shipyard, 

13 recognizes the role aircraft carriers have played in 

14 securing peace for the United States and the con15 tinuing role aircraft carriers will play in maintaining 

16 peace and security for the United States; and 

17 (4) celebrates the centennial of Navy aircraft 

18 carriers. 

Æ 


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