USS Saratoga Museum Foundation, Inc.
Home
Current Status
Site Map
Donations
Membership
Press Releases
Media Watch
Political Action
Mailing List
[------------]
Vision
   The Team
   The Park
   The Ship
   Site Plan
   Education
   Summary
Mission & Goals
[------------]
GUESTBOOK
[------------]
The FAQ
Saratoga Store
Saratoga Links
Photo Album
Saratoga Videos
What's New?
[------------]
Special Interest:

RUSSIAN SUB
Saratoga Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 26, 2000

Contact: Frank Lennon
      (401) 831-8696

GENERAL ASSEMBLY ENDORSES USS SARATOGA MUSEUM PROJECT

Resolutions of support for proposed attraction at Quonset Point pass both houses.
The Rhode Island General Assembly has added a powerful voice of support for the two-year volunteer effort to create a museum and educational center at the former Quonset Point Naval Air Station featuring the retired supercarrier USS Saratoga. On Tuesday evening (4/25/00) the Senate passed Resolution S 2819 "endorsing and recommending the concept of the Air, Land and Sea History And Technology Park at Quonset Point."

A similarly worded Resolution (H 7966) had previously passed the House without dissent.

Commenting on the legislative vote of confidence, Frank Lennon, president of the USS Saratoga Museum Foundation, Inc. said, "This is the last major building block in our foundation of consensus. In September, we gained conditional approval from Governor Almond and the Economic Development Corporation board he chairs, and in January the Navy agreed to place the ship in donation status. This endorsement from the General Assembly closes the circle," he concluded.

Foundation supporters were encouraged by the strong conclusion of the Resolutions from both Houses, which stated:

RESOLVED: That this House of Representatives [Senate] of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations hereby endorses and recommends the concept of the Air, Land and Sea History and Technology Park at Quonset Point and urges timely and favorable consideration by the Governor and the Economic Development Corporation; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and he hereby is authorized and directed to transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to the Governor and the director of the Economic Development Corporation.

Lennon pointed out the museum project has previously been endorsed by a host of political and business decision makers, led by long-time supporter and project advisory board co-chairman Congressman Bob Weygand.

"Senator Chafee, Governor Sundlun, Lieutenant Governor Fogarty, Lieutenant Governor Jackvony and a host of political leaders from both sides of the aisle have agreed this project would be of benefit to Rhode Islanders," added Lennon, illustrating the bipartisan nature of the project's appeal.

That bipartisan support was evident in the sponsorship of the Senate Resolution, which was introduced by Senator Michael Lenihan, Democrat from East Greenwich, and co-sponsored by Republican Senator John Patterson from North Kingstown.

The House version was introduced by Majority Whip Suzanne Henseler of North Kingstown, cosponsored by fellow North Kingstown Representatives Melvoid Benson and Kenneth Carter. Also sponsoring the bill were Representatives Elaine Coderre of Pawtucket and Eileen Naughton of Warwick.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

The full text of the resolutions may be found via the following URLs:

House Resolution R 7966

Senate Resolution S 2819



* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Web page creation and site maintenance by West Bay Web.

Last Updated:
9/29/01