Congress Congratulates Sub Force Sailors

On Dec. 2, 2009, the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed a concurrent resolution introduced by Rep. Norman Dicks (D-Wash.) congratulating the Sailors of the U.S. Submarine Force upon the completion of 1,000 deterrent patrols by Ohio (SSBN726)-class ballistic missile submarines. The resolution had already passed the Senate, where it was introduced by Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Ore.).

The House version appears below, followed by the names of all those who sponsored the concurrent resolution in both the House and the Senate.

H. CON. RES. 129

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION Whereas the Sailors of the United States Submarine Force recently completed the 1,000th deterrent patrol of the Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine (SSBN); Whereas this milestone is significant for the Submarine Force, its crews and their families, the United States Navy, and the entire country; Whereas this milestone was reached through the combined efforts and impressive achievements of all of the submariners who have participated in such patrols since the first patrol of USS Ohio (SSBN-726) in 1982; Whereas, as a result of the dedication and commitment to excellence of the Sailors of the United States Submarine Force, ballistic missile submarines have always been ready and vigilant, reassuring United States allies and deterring anyone who might seek to do harm to the United States or United States allies; Whereas the national maritime strategy of the United States recognizes the critical need for strategic deterrence in today’s uncertain world; Whereas the true strength of the ballistic missile submarine lies in the extremely talented and motivated Sailors who have voluntarily chosen to serve in the submarine community; and Whereas the inherent stealth, unparalleled firepower, and nearly limitless endurance of the ballistic missile submarine provide a credible deterrence for any enemies that would seek to use force against the

United States or United States allies: Now, therefore, be it Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring),

That Congress— (1) congratulates the Sailors of the United States Submarine

Force upon the completion of 1,000 Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) deterrent patrols; and (2) honors and thanks the crews of ballistic missile submarines and their devoted families for their continued dedication and sacrifice. Passed the House of Representatives December 2, 2009.

House sponsors

Rep. Todd W. Akin (R-Mo.) Rep. Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (D-Ga.) Rep. Madeleine Z. Bordallo (D-Guam) Rep. Dan Boren (D-Okla.) Rep. Allen Boyd (D-Fla.) Rep. Robert A. Brady (D-Pa.) Rep. Bobby Bright (D-Ala.) Rep. Joe Courtney (D-Conn.) Rep. Ander Crenshaw (R-Fla.) Rep. John Abney Culberson (R-Texas) Rep. Steve Driehaus (D-Ohio) Rep. Vernon J. Ehlers (R-Mich.) Rep. Brad Ellsworth (D-Ind.) Rep. Bob Filner (D-Calif.) Rep. John Fleming (R-La.) Rep. Randy J. Forbes (R-Va.) Rep. Doc Hastings (R-Wash.) Rep. Maurice D. Hinchey (D-N.Y.) Rep. Tim Holden (D-Pa.) Rep. Henry C. “Hank” Johnson, Jr. (D-Ga.) Rep. Walter B. Jones, Jr. (R-N.C.) Rep. Carolyn C. Kilpatrick (D-Mich.) Rep. Jack Kingston (R-Ga.) Rep. John Kline (R-Minn.) Rep. Doug Lamborn (R-Colo.) Rep. James R. Langevin (D-R.I.) Rep. Rick Larsen (D-Wash.) Rep. Eric J. J. Massa (D-N.Y.) Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.) Rep. James Moran (D-Va.) Rep. Scott Murphy (D-N.Y.) Rep. Glenn C. Nye III (D-Va.) Rep. Solomon P. Ortiz (D-Texas) Rep. Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) Rep. David G. Reichert (R-Wash.) Rep. Thomas J. Rooney (R-Fla.) Rep. Joe Sestak (D-Pa.) Rep. Carol Shea-Porter (D-N.H.) Rep. Adam Smith (D-Wash.) Rep. Vic Snyder (D-Ark.) Rep. John M. Spratt, Jr. (D-S.C.) Rep. Gene Taylor (D-Miss.) Rep. Mac Thornberry (R-Texas) Rep. Todd Tiahrt (R-Kan.) Rep. Robert J. Wittman (R-Va.) Rep. C.W. Bill Young (R-Fla.)

Senate sponsors

Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.) Sen. Christopher J. Dodd (D-Conn.) Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.) Sen. Richard G. Lugar (R-Ind.) Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.)