IV 
116TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. RES. 979 
Commending the efforts and honoring the work of the men and women 
of the USNS Comfort, the USNS Mercy, and the United States Navy 
in the response to those affected by the COVID–19 outbreaks in Los 
Angeles, California, and New York, New York. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
MAY 22, 2020 
Mr. RESCHENTHALER (for himself, Mr. GARCIA of California, Mr. COOK, Ms. 
STEFANIK, and Mr. CALVERT) submitted the following resolution; which 
was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition 
to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently de-
termined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions 
as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned 
RESOLUTION 
Commending the efforts and honoring the work of the men 
and women of the USNS Comfort, the USNS Mercy, 
and the United States Navy in the response to those 
affected by the COVID–19 outbreaks in Los Angeles, 
California, and New York, New York. 
Whereas the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID–19), a deadly 
respiratory virus, originated in the People’s Republic of 
China and spread to the United States, infecting and kill-
ing tens of thousands of American citizens; 
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•HRES 979 IH 
Whereas large cities on the East and West Coasts of the 
United States faced difficult challenges battling COVID– 
19, especially in densely populated urban centers; 
Whereas President Donald J. Trump and Chief of Naval Op-
erations Admiral Mike Gilday ordered the hospital ships, 
United States Naval Ship (hereinafter, ‘‘USNS’’) Mercy 
(T–AH–19) and USNS Comfort (T–AH–20), to deploy 
to the front lines of the COVID–19 response in New 
York, New York, and Los Angeles, California; 
Whereas the Military Sealift Command hospital ship USNS 
Mercy arrived into the Port of Los Angeles on March 27, 
2020, and her 800-plus crew treated a total of 77 pa-
tients and assisted with care at nearby medical facilities 
in the greater Los Angeles area; 
Whereas the Military Sealift Command hospital ship USNS 
Comfort moored at Manhattan’s pier 90 in New York, 
New York, on March 30, 2020, and 1,200 personnel 
treated a total of 182 patients before returning to Naval 
Station Norfolk; 
Whereas Rear Admiral Mustin, Vice Commander of the 
United States Fleet Forces Command, stated, ‘‘The last 
time that this great hospital ship was here was in the 
wake of 9/11, where she served as respite and comfort for 
our first responders working around the clock’’; 
Whereas Captain Patrick Amersbach stated regarding the 
USNS Comfort, ‘‘We were the busiest ICU in the De-
partment of Defense over the past month’’ and that at 
least 70 percent of patients were COVID–19 positive; 
Whereas the USNS Comfort and USNS Mercy’s primary 
mission is to provide an afloat, mobile, and acute surgical 
medical facility to the United States military that is flexi-
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•HRES 979 IH 
ble, capable, and uniquely adaptable to support expedi-
tionary warfare; 
Whereas the USNS Comfort and USNS Mercy’s secondary 
mission is to provide full hospital services to support dis-
aster relief and humanitarian operations worldwide; and 
Whereas active duty, reserve, and civilian personnel fulfilled 
the mission status motto of ‘‘ready five’’ as the ships re-
sponded quickly in order to complete the critical mission 
of fighting COVID–19: Now, therefore, be it 
Resolved, That it is the sense of the House of Rep-
resentatives to— 
(1) express its deepest condolences and sym-
pathy to the family and friends for those who lost 
loved ones during the COVID–19 pandemic; 
(2) commend the health care workers and first 
responders who have provided relief, sacrifice, and 
care for those fallen ill from COVID–19; and 
(3) commend the efforts and honor the work of 
the men and women of the USNS Mercy, USNS 
Comfort, and the members of the Armed Forces and 
civilians who deployed rapidly to New York and Cali-
fornia to those affected by this pandemic. 
Æ 
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