Recognizing the 40th anniversary of the sinking of the U

Recognizing the 40th anniversary of the sinking of the U.S.S. Thresher (SSN 593)

Since 04-04-03

From the Naval Submarine League Update for 04-03-03

CONGRESSIONAL RESOLUTION:

108TH CONGRESS

1ST SESSION

S. RES. 102

Recognizing the 40th anniversary of the sinking of the U.S.S. Thresher (SSN 593). IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES APRIL 1, 2003 Mr. SUNUNU (for himself, Mr. GREGG, Ms. SNOWE, and Ms. COLLINS) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to

RESOLUTION

Recognizing the 40th anniversary of the sinking of the U.S.S. Thresher (SSN 593). Whereas the U.S.S. Thresher was first launched at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard on July 9, 1960; Whereas the U.S.S. Thresher departed Portsmouth Naval Shipyard for her final voyage on April 9, 1963, with a crew of 16 officers, 96 sailors, and 17 civilians; Whereas the mix of that crew reflects the unity of the navalsubmarine service, military and civilian, in the protection of the Nation; Whereas at approximately 7:47 a.m. on April 10, 1963, while in communication with the surface ship U.S.S. Skylark, and approximately 300 miles off the coast of New England, the U.S.S. Thresher began her final descent; Whereas the U.S.S. Thresher was declared lost with all hands on April 10, 1963; Whereas from the loss of the U.S.S. Thresher, there arose the SUBSAFE program, which has kept United States´ submariners safe at sea ever since as the strongest, safest submarine force in history; Whereas from the loss of the U.S.S. Thresher, there arose in our Nation´s universities the ocean engineering curricula that enables the United States´ preeminence in submarine warfare; and Whereas the crew of the U.S.S. Thresher demonstrated the "last full measure of devotion" in service to this Nation, and this devotion characterizes the sacrifices of all submariners, past and present: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Senate-

(1) recognizes the 40th Anniversary of the sinking of the U.S.S.

Thresher;

(2) remembers with profound sorrow the loss of the U.S.S. Thresher

and her gallant crew of sailors and civilians on April 10, 1963; and

(3) expresses its deepest gratitude to all submariners on "eternal patrol", who are forever bound together by their dedicated and honorable

service to the United States of America.

SEC. 2. TRANSMISSION OF RESOLUTION.

The Secretary of the Senate shall transmit a copy of this resolution to the Chief of Naval Operations and to the Commanding Officer of the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard to be accepted on behalf of the families and shipmates of the crew of the U.S.S. Thresher.