A HOUSE RESOLUTION urging the secretary of the navy to hold a commissioning ceremony for the new uss north carolina in the port of wilmington.
Whereas, the United States Navy has honored the State with four ships bearing the name of North Carolina; and
Whereas, the first was a 74‑gun ship that served from 1820 to 1836; the second North Carolina was a Tennessee‑class armored cruiser that served from 1908 to 1921; and the third North Carolina was the first of the Navy's modern battleships, serving from 1940 to 1947, earning 12 battle stars for service during World War II, and currently serving as a memorial for all North Carolinians killed in World War II in Wilmington; and
Whereas, the new USS North Carolina (SSN 777) is a 377‑foot, 7,800‑ton attack submarine able to carry a crew of 134; and
Whereas, the USS North Carolina cost $2.4 billion and is part of the highly advanced Virginia class submarines; and
Whereas, the USS North Carolina was christened in a ceremony at the Northrop Grumman Newport News Shipyard on April 21, 2007; and
Whereas, the USS North Carolina is expected to be delivered to the Navy in December 2007; and
Whereas, support is mounting to hold a commissioning ceremony for the USS North Carolina in the Port of Wilmington; Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:
SECTION 1.  The North Carolina House of Representatives urges the Secretary of the Navy to hold a commissioning ceremony for the new USS North Carolina in the Port City of Wilmington.
SECTION 2.  The Principal Clerk shall transmit a certified copy of this resolution to The Honorable Donald C. Winter, Secretary of the Navy.
SECTION 3.  This resolution is effective upon adoption.