Bill Text: MS SC635 | 2012 | Regular Session | Engrossed
Bill Title: Salute the historic commissioning ceremony of the Nation's newest attack submarine USS MISSISSIPPI (SSN-782) at Pascagoula.
Sponsorship: Slight Partisan Bill (Republican 9-4)
Status: (Passed) 2012-04-10 - Enrolled Bill Signed [SC635 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2012-SC635-Engrossed.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2012 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Wiggins, Watson, Smith
Senate Concurrent Resolution 635
(As Adopted by Senate)
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING AND SALUTING THE HISTORIC COMMISSIONING CEREMONY OF THE NATION'S NEWEST ATTACK SUBMARINE THE USS MISSISSIPPI (SSN-782) AT THE PORT OF PASCAGOULA ON JUNE 2, 2012.
USS MISSISSIPPI (SSN-782)
WHEREAS, for over 170 years, from the golden age of sail to the instant-response nuclear fleet of today, four American warships have proudly borne the name "MISSISSIPPI" and they have left their mark on the history of the United States and the world. Now a fifth warship emblazoned with the name USS MISSISSIPPI prepares to defend our country. Proudly displaying our state's motto "Virtute et Armis" (By Valor and Arms) she will take her place in the annals of American History; and
WHEREAS, the eyes of Americans throughout the South and Nation will be on Pascagoula for the commissioning of the USS MISSISSIPPI submarine on June 2, 2012; and
WHEREAS, the USS Mississippi Commissioning Committee, the Meridian Area Navy League, Jackson County, the City of Pascagoula and the Port of Pascagoula are serving as hosts of the commissioning; and
WHEREAS, this location of the commissioning is made possible by the strategic, competitive and modern nature of the Port of Pascagoula; and
WHEREAS, according to U.S. Navy Captain Michael E. Jabaley, Jr., the naming of a Navy vessel after a state is a rare honor, and this submarine will carry the name and honor of Mississippi wherever it goes on missions to ensure freedom of the seas for our Nation and allies; and
WHEREAS, the commissioning of the 377-foot Virginia-class attack submarine is the final event before it is placed into active military service. The deeply rooted naval tradition consists of several days of receptions leading up to the ceremony itself. Pascagoula Mayor Robbie Maxwell stated on behalf of the city hosting the event, "We are a shipbuilding town, and there is no better place to celebrate our livelihood with the world than right here in Mississippi"; and
WHEREAS, the submarine was named USS MISSISSIPPI to recognize the state's long-standing shipbuilding tradition in support of the Nation's defense. It also honors the tenacity and spirit of the people of Mississippi since the devastation resulting from Hurricane Katrina in 2005; and
WHEREAS, christened before more than 5,500 people on December 3, 2011, in Groton, Connecticut, the submarine is the fifth Navy ship to bear the name MISSISSIPPI:
� The USS MISSISSIPPI (1841-1863) participated in the Mexican-American War, and served as Admiral Perry's flagship;
� The USS MISSISSIPPI (BB-23)-(1908-1914) joined President Theodore Roosevelt's Great White Fleet as it returned from its around-the-world display of American sea power and delivered the first U.S. Naval aviators into combat and the prow of this battleship is displayed on the grounds of our New Capitol Building;
� The USS MISSISSIPPI (BB-43)-(1917-1956) was the most powerful battleship in the United States fleet. It earned eight battle stars in the Pacific during World War II and was struck by kamikazes on two occasions;
� The USS MISSISSIPPI (CGN-40)-(1978-1997) was a nuclear-powered guided missile cruiser and launched Tomahawk cruise missiles into Iraq during Operation Desert Storm; and
WHEREAS, at 377 feet long and 34 feet in diameter, the USS MISSISSIPPI is among the Navy's "next generation" of attack submarines. Smaller, faster, more technologically advanced and lethal, the Navy uses submarines in this category to seek and destroy enemy ships and submarines. Set to be the ninth of its type to be commissioned, the USS MISSISSIPPI is one of four submarines that have had the honor of being commissioned within the state which it shares a name; and Mississippians are very proud to have it commissioned in their own state; and
WHEREAS, Ingalls is located where the Pascagoula River flows into the Mississippi Sound, strategically positioned for easy access to the deep waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Shipbuilding in Pascagoula started to boom from 1917 to 1918. In 1938, Ingalls Shipyard was well-established just in time for World War II, and the wartime demand made the shipyard's production increase and people from all over moved there in order to find jobs. In 1940, Ingalls produced the first all-welded ship in the United States of America, ushering in the latest technology. Ingalls Shipyard has always thrived on producing ships for commercial use, but in the early 1950s the company diversified its yard to support the production of United States naval combatant ships. In 1958, Ingalls began building nuclear submarines; and
WHEREAS, Ingalls Shipbuilding is the largest supplier of U.S. Navy surface combatants, having built over 70% of Navy fleet of warships; and
WHEREAS, an invitation is extended to all to attend the commissioning ceremony and can do so by registering at www.ussmississippi.org/ussmiss/; and
WHEREAS, United States Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus and the Mississippi congressional delegation ensured that the commissioning of Mississippi's submarine occurred in Mississippi. The citizens of the state appreciate all the hard work community leaders from both Pascagoula and Gulfport did to bring the commissioning to Mississippi. From the Veterans who served and worked to make this happen, and to the shipbuilders who equip our Nation's war fighters, this is a proud day for Mississippi:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby recognize and salute the historic commissioning ceremony of the Nation's newest attack Submarine USS MISSISSIPPI (SSN-782) to take place at the Port of Pascagoula on June 2, 2012, and extend our best wishes to all participants of this auspicious occasion.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus, members of Mississippi's congressional delegation, representatives of the Meridian Area Navy League, the Governor of the State of Mississippi, Mayor Robbie Maxwell of the City of Pascagoula, the President of Ingalls Shipbuilding Irwin F. Edenzon, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.
