A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT adopting the uss north carolina (BB‑55) as the official state battleship.
Whereas, the USS North Carolina (BB‑55) became the first of 10 fast battleships to join the American fleet during World War II; and
Whereas, the USS North Carolina (BB‑55) was commissioned on April 9, 1941, and was considered the world's greatest sea weapon; and
Whereas, during the war, the crew of the USS North Carolina (BB‑55) consisted of 144 commissioned officers and 2,195 enlisted men, including about 100 Marines; and
Whereas, the USS North Carolina (BB‑55) participated in every major naval offensive in the Pacific area of operations and earned 15 battle stars; and
Whereas, the USS North Carolina (BB‑55) served as a training vessel for midshipmen before being decommissioned on June 27, 1947; and
Whereas, in 1958, citizens of North Carolina began a statewide campaign known as Save Our Ship (SOS) to save the ship from being scrapped; and
Whereas, the USS North Carolina (BB‑55) was moored in Wilmington on October 2, 1961; and
Whereas, on April 29, 1962, the ship was dedicated as a historic landmark, a museum collecting and interpreting all ships named "North Carolina," and as a memorial to the World War II veterans and the 11,000 North Carolinians of all branches of service who died during the war; and
Whereas, in March 1986, the USS North Carolina (BB‑55) became one of 22 ships to be registered as a national historic landmark; and
Whereas, the USS North Carolina (BB‑55) is a State historic site and a major tourist attraction, bringing in between $1.5 to $3.5 million annually to the State and local economy and attracting over 250,000 visitors; and
Whereas, the USS North Carolina (BB‑55) accounts for over 3,500 jobs in New Hanover County each year; and
Whereas, the USS North Carolina (BB‑55) should be adopted as an official State symbol; Now, therefore,
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  Chapter 145 of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read:
"§ 145‑53.  Official State battleship.
The Battleship USS North Carolina (BB‑55) is adopted as the official warship of the State of North Carolina."
SECTION 2.  This act is effective when it becomes law.