USS Saratoga Museum Foundation, Inc.

As the Navy's April 17 deadline for competing applications approaches, the USS Saratoga Museum Foundation, Inc.'s plans to establish a non-profit museum and family attraction at Quonset Point are moving full speed ahead on both the political and financial fronts.

Both Senator Lincoln Chafee and Congressman James Langevin have written to the Department of Commerce in support of the Foundation's application for $750,000 in federal funding from the Economic Development Administration's CEDS program (Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy).

"We applied for this funding last May," said Foundation President Frank Lennon. "In June we were notified that our project scored well in the review by Statewide Planning, and was forwarded to Washington for funding consideration. Ours was the only private non-profit project to make the short list; all other qualifiers had been proposed by municipalities or state agencies," said Lennon.

"This funding would be used for the balance of the construction of the Visitor Center, and the restoration/upgrading of the shops aboard the carrier for school-to-work and vocational training," added project Deputy Director Bill Sheridan.

In his March 29 letter to Secretary of Commerce Donald Evans, Senator Chafee asserted that the Saratoga Museum "has great potential". Recognizing that the Museum has applied to the EDA for a $750,000 CEDS grant, Chafee concluded, "I am pleased to write in support of this request."

"I am writing to express my strong support of the [Saratoga] application for CEDS funding," wrote Langevin in his letter of March 9 to Mary Pleffner, Acting Assistant Secretary of EDA.

On the local front, the $50,000 in legislative grant commitments from the Rhode Island General Assembly have been buttressed by specific letters of support from several key legislators. Senate Majority Leader William Irons (District 39) expressed his position very clearly and pragmatically: "We are impressed at the broad range of grass-roots support this project enjoys. The importance of such support is not lost on elected officials," he concluded.

Earlier, his Republican counterpart, Minority Leader Dennis Algiere wrote, "There is no question that the park and the USS Saratoga will prove to be a major attraction for all Rhode Islanders as well as for the many visitors from all over our country...It makes good sense to offer worthwhile and interesting educational opportunities along with...the enjoyment that our beautiful beaches afford."

Senator John Celona (District 36), Chairman of the Corporations Committee added, "I am in full support of the effort to bring the USS Saratoga to her final berth at Quonset."

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Joseph Montalbano (District 37) writes, "There is no doubt in my mind that the project is one that will be of great economic, educational and recreational benefit to our state."

Other senators who have expressed support for the project include Michael Lenihan (District 22), Teresa Paiva-Weed (District 49), John Sheehan (District 23) and his predecessor, John Patterson.

On the House side, Majority Whip Suzanne Henseler (District 44) and her fellow members of the North Kingstown delegation, Representative Ken Carter (District 46) and Representative Melvoid Benson (District 45) have been strongly supportive. Presenting the $25,000 legislative grant check from the House to Saratoga officials, Representative Henseler said , "We hope this grant will help speed your efforts to bring Saratoga across the Bay and establish her as a museum and memorial in North Kingstown."

On the local level, the Town of Smithfield added its voice to the ever-growing chorus of support at the community level. In a March 20 Resolution, the Smithfield Town Council "...Endorses and recommends the concept of an Air, Land & Sea Heritage and Technology Park at Quonset Point and urges timely and favorable consideration by the Governor and the Economic Development Corporation."

Smithfield now becomes the eleventh municipality to pass such a Resolution, joining North Kingstown, East Greenwich, Providence, Cranston, Warwick, Cumberland, Lincoln, Glocester, Charlestown and Richmond.

The Foundation has worked for the past year and a half to meet a number of conditions set by the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation. The final step is to raise approximately $2.5 million to qualify for an investment banking commitment of $5 million.

Full details about the project, as well as information on how to participate, can be found on the project's website at:

http://www.saratogamuseum.org

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Photo ID: L-R Bill Sheridan, Rep. Ken Carter, House Majority Whip Sue Henseler, Frank Lennon, Rep. Melvoid Benson

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Last Updated:
9/29/01