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[Page S2640]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS
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RECOGNIZING THE USS ``BILLINGS'' COMMISSIONING COMMITTEE
Mr. DAINES. Mr. President, today I wish to honor the men and
women of the USS Billings Commissioning Committee and their notable
contributions to our State and Nation. The USS Billings Commissioning
Committee is a group of volunteers from Montana's largest city, who
have dedicated themselves to promoting awareness and fostering support
for the future commissioning of the USS Billings and all those who will
sail aboard her in defense of our Nation.
Upon commissioning, the USS Billings will be the first U.S. Navy
warship to bear the city's namesake, a historic moment for our State.
Montana has a proud heritage of military service. Some 3,500 Active
Duty servicemembers currently serve at Malmstrom Air Force Base in
Great Falls, and another 4,500 citizen-soldiers serve in the National
Guard and Reserve at various locations across the State. Beyond the
borders of our landlocked home, more than 2,200 U.S. Navy sailors
currently call Montana home, adding 134 new Montanans to their ranks in
the past 12 months. Montana also proudly boasts the highest percentage
of veterans per capita in the contiguous United States.
A Freedom Class littoral combat ship, the USS Billings will be among
the fastest, most technologically advanced, and agile efficient ships
in our naval fleet. The USS Billings will project power near the
shoreline and conduct a wide range of missions, including mine
countermeasures, antisubmarine warfare, and surface warfare missions.
We wait with great anticipation as her August 3 commissioning quickly
approaches.
In keeping with time-honored naval traditions, the USS Billings
Commissioning Committee on behalf of the city of Billings is making
preparations to host the commission ceremony and a series of
celebrations. Determined to accomplish this ambitious goal, the
committee has made great strides in rallying support across the State.
The city has had the honor and privilege of hosting the crew of the USS
Billings at the of the committee, and we look forward to their return
in the weeks ahead. These efforts have made great strides in fostering
a strong and enduring relationship between the city of Billings, the
State of Montana, and the U.S. Navy.
In recognition of these and other notable accomplishments, I ask that
the following names who have volunteered for the USS Billings
Commissioning Committee be entered into the Record: Mayor Bill Cole,
Chairman; Councilman Mike Yakawich, Co-Vice Chair; Commissioner Denis
Pitman, Co-Vice Chair; Ron Spence, Committee Coordinator; Councilman
Larry Brewster; Brent Brooks; Dan Brooks; Councilman Dick Clark; Sue
Davidson; Katy Easton; Mike Jennings; Al Swanson; and Nancy
Swanson.
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