SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION No. 122

 

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

 

INTRODUCED APRIL 17, 1997

 

 

By Senators RICE and DiFRANCESCO

 

 

A Concurrent Resolution memorializing the United States Department of the Navy to name a ship in honor of the crew of the U.S.S. Mason (DE 529).

 

Whereas, The Destroyer Escort U.S.S. Mason (DE 529) was built by the Boston Navy Yard, launched on November 17, 1943 and commissioned on March 20, 1944; and

Whereas, The U.S.S.Mason had an entirely African-American crew and was the first and only ship of its kind in the U.S. Navy allowing African-Americans to man all positions, all ranks; and

Whereas, A large majority of the U.S.S. Mason crew had attended service school and developed teamwork through professionalism, training and drilling to render meritorious service in convoy escort operations in the Atlantic Ocean; and

Whereas, 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; and

Whereas, President Clinton, when awarding a Certificate of Appreciation to the U.S.S. Mason (DE 529) Association, commended the crew for defending America with no guarantees that their own freedom would be defended in return; and

Whereas, In 1995, the U.S.S. Mason was recognized by the Secretary of the Navy in a special citation which stated that the officers and crew of the U.S.S. Mason in their unrelenting determination and steadfast devotion to duty upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service; now, therefore,

 

    Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of New Jersey (the General Assembly concurring):

 

    1. The Legislature respectfully memorializes the United States Department of the Navy to name a ship in honor of the crew of the U.S.S. Mason (DE 529) and its meritorious service during World War II.

 

    2. Duly authenticated copies of this concurrent resolution, signed by the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the General Assembly and attested by the Secretary of the Senate and the Clerk of the General Assembly, shall be transmitted to the Secretary of the Navy, the President and Vice President of the United States, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, and every Member of Congress elected from this State.

 

 

STATEMENT

 

    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.

 

 

                             

 

Urges U.S. Navy to name ship in honor of U.S.S. Mason crew.