HR 9005

1	House Resolution
2	A resolution in recognition of the United States Coast
3	Guard Cutter Tampa on the occasion of the 25th anniversary
4	of the commission of the Tampa.
5
6	WHEREAS, the United States Coast Guard Cutter Tampa, one of
7	thirteen 270-foot medium endurance cutters of the "Famous"
8	class, designed to carry the Coast Guard into the 21st century,
9	was commissioned on March 16, 1984, and
10	WHEREAS, the USCGC Tampa is a multi-mission ship with five
11	primary missions: maritime law enforcement, search and rescue,
12	maritime homeland security, national defense, and international
13	engagement, and
14	WHEREAS, the USCGC Tampa operates primarily in the littoral
15	waters of the United States and throughout the Caribbean to
16	ensure maritime homeland security and enforce drug, immigration,
17	fisheries, customs, and environmental laws, and
18	WHEREAS, the USCGC Tampa is a front-line unit in the
19	nation's "War on Drugs" and has seized numerous drug smuggling
20	vessels, and
21	WHEREAS, in 1994, the USCGC Tampa was involved with the
22	rescue and return of several thousand Haitians and Cubans during
23	mass migrations, and
24	WHEREAS, In 2004, the USCGC Tampa deployed to the
25	Mediterranean Sea and the Black Sea in support of the U.S.
26	European Command and conducted training with numerous friends
27	and allies in the region, and
28	WHEREAS, In September 2005, following the devastating
29	landfall of Hurricane Katrina along the Gulf Coast of the United
30	States, the USCGC Tampa acted as gatekeeper at the mouth of the
31	Mississippi, ensuring the safety and movement of commerce from
32	offshore, and then later moved upriver to ensure the safety and
33	security of ports and waterways and support rescue and recovery
34	operations in downtown New Orleans, and
35	WHEREAS, In 2008 the USCGC Tampa took part in two
36	humanitarian relief missions, providing supplies to Haiti in the
37	aftermath of several devastating hurricanes, and
38	WHEREAS, the USCGC Tampa's motto is "Honor, Respect,
39	Devotion to Duty," and
40	WHEREAS, it is with great pride that the State of Florida
41	recognizes the thousands of nautical miles the USCGC Tampa has
42	patrolled off the coast of this state in fulfilling the mission
43	of keeping Floridians safe, NOW, THEREFORE,
44
45	Be It Resolved by the House of Representatives of the State of
46	Florida:
47
48	That the House of Representatives of the State of Florida
49	hereby recognizes the United States Coast Guard Cutter Tampa on
50	the occasion of the 25th anniversary of its commission.
51	BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be
52	presented to the officers and crew of the United States Coast
53	Guard Cutter Tampa as a tangible token of the sentiments
54	expressed herein.

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.