Homeporting of the USS "Ronald Reagan"

HOMEPORTING OF THE USS "RONALD REAGAN" -- (Extensions of Remarks - July 22, 2004)

SPEECH OF
HON. DARRELL E. ISSA
OF CALIFORNIA
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
THURSDAY, JULY 22, 2004

Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today, on the eve of the home porting ceremony of the USS Ronald Reagan, to welcome America's newest Aircraft Carrier and its crew to San Diego.

The USS Ronald Reagan CVN 76, our nation's ninth Nimitz class carrier, is the world's most advanced and most capable carrier ever built. The USS Reagan, along with its crew of 6,000 and its commanding officer Captain James A. Symonds, will give America greater capabilities to address threats to the safety of Americans and international peace and stability than ever before.

For most of the world's history, the oceans have been a dangerous and lawless place. For over 60 years, however, America's Navy has reigned supreme over the world's oceans. Today, our Navy ensures freedom of the seas for all nations who seek to use the world's shipping lanes for peaceful purposes. The USS Ronald Reagan enhances our Navy's ability to do its job.

For California, the USS Ronald Reagan will serve as a proud reminder of the legacy left behind by our former Governor and President. President Reagan understood the importance of maintaining a strong and effective military. Throughout his administration, which brought about a successful end to the Cold War, President Reagan rebuilt America's armed forces with a steadfast belief in the pursuit of peace through strength. Because of this legacy, it is entirely fitting that the most powerful and diplomatically visible symbol of the American Navy now shares both the name and home state of President Ronald Reagan.

The crew of the USS Reagan will find the San Diego community to be warm and welcoming. San Diego has a mix of many cultures and, as someone who moved my family here 20 years ago, I can assure the entire crew that San Diego is a great place to live, work, and raise a family.

Mr. Speaker, in closing, I would like to recognize Mrs. Reagan who will participate in tomorrow's home porting ceremony. The USS Ronald Reagan is a testament to the many great things Ronald and Nancy Reagan accomplished together. Ronald Reagan gave our nation hope and reminded us that with hard work and determination we could do great things. President Reagan may have moved on, but his legacy is as strong and steady as the ship that now bears his name.