S.Res. 183 — Introduced in Senate

III 113th CONGRESS 1st Session S. RES. 183 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES June 24, 2013 Mr. Blumenthal (for himself and Mr. Murphy) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary RESOLUTION Commemorating the relaunching of the 172-year-old Charles W. Morgan by Mystic Seaport: The Museum of America and the Sea. Whereas the Charles W. Morgan (referred to in this preamble as the Morgan) was built and launched from New Bedford, Massachusetts, in 1841; Whereas the Morgan is a National Historic Landmark vessel, the only remaining wooden whaleship in the world, and the oldest commercial vessel in the United States; Whereas the Morgan and similar vessels were the economic backbone of New England for 200 years; Whereas the Morgan has served as a living artifact and a testament to the ingenuity, risk, and entrepreneurship of the United States since the vessel retired from the whaling industry in 1921; Whereas the Morgan has completed a 5-year, multi-million dollar restoration at the Preservation Shipyard of Mystic Seaport: The Museum of America and the Sea and will be relaunched on July 21, 2013; Whereas the Morgan will embark on a ceremonial 38th voyage in June 2014, serving as Ambassador to the world’s whales and to the world’s whaling heritage; Whereas the 38th voyage of the Morgan will rekindle the spirit of exploration and discovery of people throughout the world; Whereas individuals and organizations from 22 States have contributed materials and expertise to the restoration and 38th voyage of the Morgan; and Whereas the new mission of the Morgan will be devoted to history, education, science, and ocean awareness: Now, therefore, be it That the Senate— (1) commemorates the relaunching of the whaleship Charles W. Morgan and commends the staff, volunteers, and trustees of Mystic Seaport: The Museum of America and the Sea for their efforts to preserve and protect the maritime heritage of the United States; (2) supports the plan of Mystic Seaport: The Museum of America and the Sea to reinterpret the Charles W. Morgan as a vessel of scientific and educational exploration whose cargo is knowledge and whose mission is to promote awareness of the maritime heritage of the United States and the conservation of the species the Morgan hunted; and (3) recognizes the Charles W. Morgan as the Ambassador to the Whales, dedicated to advancing public understanding of species conservation.