WHEREAS, Captain Paul Lanzilotta, USN, demonstrated exceptional leadership and meritorious service to the nation and the Commonwealth as the sixth commanding officer of the USS ARLINGTON, from February 14, 2019, when the ship was deployed in Souda Bay, Greece, to May 22, 2020; and

WHEREAS, Captain Lanzilotta, a decorated naval flight officer who has logged more than 2,600 hours during his prior tours at sea and who flew in support of Operations Southern Watch, Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, and New Dawn, has earned numerous awards and accolades, including the Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, and the Air Medal, among others; and

WHEREAS, Captain Lanzilotta successfully guided the ship during an arduous deployment of the United States Fifth Fleet and United States Sixth Fleet, in which he oversaw the safe execution of 1,500 flight deck evolutions, numerous calls in foreign ports, 20 underway replenishments, eight strait transits, and several restricted waters transits, often while underway in company of other ships of the United States Navy; and

WHEREAS, under the leadership of Captain Lanzilotta, the officers and crew of the USS ARLINGTON continued to demonstrate the highest level of professionalism and esprit de corps during Exercise Alexander the Great, Operation Zircon Storm, Operation Odyssey Resolve, and Operation Ancient Aviator, while often overcoming the challenges of short planning cycles and limited intelligence in these operations; and

WHEREAS, the USS ARLINGTON, while under the command of Captain Lanzilotta, represented both the nation and the Commonwealth with the utmost distinction while working in conjunction with allies; the USS ARLINGTON hosted dignitaries in Malta and Tunisia and became the first United States Navy warship to pull pierside in Tunisia in more than 17 years; and

WHEREAS, after the USS ARLINGTON returned from deployment, Captain Lanzilotta worked tirelessly to ensure that resources and personnel were directed to complete repairs and major maintenance, including substantial maintenance to the main propulsion diesel engines, to ensure the availability of the ship for future deployments; and

WHEREAS, Captain Lanzilotta maintained strong ties between the USS ARLINGTON and the residents of its namesake Arlington County by hosting ship visits, conducting school visits to educate students on the role of the United States Navy, hosting representatives and community leaders, and sending crew members to support the Arlington Police, Fire and Sheriff 9/11 Memorial 5K, which honors victims of the attack on the Pentagon on September 11, 2001; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, That Captain Paul Lanzilotta, USN, hereby be commended for his exceptional service as commanding officer of the USS ARLINGTON; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Captain Paul Lanzilotta, USN, as an expression of the House of Delegates' admiration for his achievements in defense of the Commonwealth and the United States.