ASSEMBLY COMMERCE AND MILITARY AND VETERANS' AFFAIRS COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY CONCURRENT RESOLUTION No. 121

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED: NOVEMBER 6, 1997

      The Assembly Commerce and Military and Veterans' Affairs Committee reports favorably Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 121.

      This concurrent resolution memorializes the United States Department of the Navy to name a ship in honor of the crew of the Destroyer Escort U.S.S. Mason (DE 529) and its meritorious service during World War II. The U.S.S.Mason had an entirely African-American crew and participated in convoy escort operations in the Atlantic Ocean. The distinguished service of the crew of the U.S.S. Mason helped to break the racial barrier of a segregated U.S. Navy after World War II.