Military

U.S. Senate Commemorates Great White Fleet

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS071119-08
Release Date: 11/19/2007 4:08:00 PM

Special release from the Naval Media Center

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The U.S. Senate unanimously passed Senate Concurrent Resolution 55 on Nov. 16 commemorating the centennial anniversary of the sailing of the Navy's "Great White Fleet," launched by then-President Theodore Roosevelt on Dec. 16, 1907, from Hampton Roads, Va. and returning there on Feb 22, 1909.

The launching of the Great White Fleet marked the emergence of the United States as a true global seapower, able to dispatch 16 new battleships on a worldwide deployment for 14 months. The battleships, which were painted entirely white, were manned by 14,000 Sailors and conducted visits across the world to reinforce friendships and partnerships with other nations.

The Senate resolution was sponsored by Sens. John Warner, R-Va., and James Webb, D-Va. Warner stated from the Senate floor, "The resolution also commends efforts by the Department of the Navy to maintain and strengthen our cooperative partnerships with foreign nations and safeguard our Nation's interests in the maritime domain; commends efforts by the Department of the Navy in leading the development of a Cooperative Strategy for 21st Century Seapower; and honors the sacrifices made and services rendered by the service members of the Navy, Marine Corps, and the Coast Guard and the civilians who constitute our maritime services."

Four U.S. House of Representatives also introduced a companion resolution Nov. 15 to commemorate the Great White Fleet centennial