HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 2002-4686, by Representatives Reardon, Berkey, Nixon, Schmidt and Esser

      WHEREAS, The USS Ingraham represents the United States government and its citizens as a naval ambassador; and

      WHEREAS, The USS Ingraham, the final ship built in the Oliver Hazard Perry Class guided missile frigate, consists of 51 ships, making it the largest single class of warships built by a Western Navy since World War II; and

      WHEREAS, With its anti-submarine warfare system, high speed, and quick reaction, this warship is a valuable asset in today's multithreat environment; and

      WHEREAS, On July 24, 2001, the USS Ingraham left Naval Station Everett for the Persian Gulf to enforce United Nations sanctions against Iraq; and

      WHEREAS, Within a couple of days of the deplorable events of September 11, the USS Ingraham, as a part of the Carl Vinson Battle Group, was on station to conduct air strikes when ordered; and

      WHEREAS, Some 242 officers and crewmembers, including a San Diego-based helicopter detachment of 24 men, three midshipmen from the United States Naval Academy, and a chaplain from Destroyer Squadron Nine, joined the Ingraham for its operations; and

      WHEREAS, The Ingraham personnel in Pakistan provided defensive actions for the Peliliu Amphibious Ready Group; escorted ammunition ships, oilers, and food storage vessels through the Strait of Homuz; and brought goods to the battle groups conducting strikes against al Qaida members; and

      WHEREAS, Off the coast of Iraq, the USS Ingraham prevented the illegal flow of weapons, banned chemicals, and other items targeted for military purposes; and

      WHEREAS, By boarding and searching hundreds of vessels, the Navy Seals teams, Marine Units, and the USS Ingraham worked cooperatively to close possible escape routes to Osama bin Laden and his leadership figures;

      NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Washington State House of Representatives recognize and appreciate the sacrifices made by military personnel aboard the USS Ingraham and the families they left behind; and

      BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives to Naval Station Everett and the USS Ingraham.

      I hereby certify this to be a true and correct copy of

      4686 Resolution adopted by the House of Representatives

                         January 30, 2002.

                   _____________________________

                   Cynthia Zehnder, Chief Clerk