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Remarks Prepared for Delivery by
U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao
Norwegian Cruise Line America's Pride of America Ship Christening
New
York Harbor, New York
Friday, June 17, 2005
Thank you, Colin [Veitch, President & CEO, Norwegian Cruise Line].
I would like to acknowledge Admiral Thomas H. Gilmour of the U.S. Coast
Guard; President Mike Sacco of the Seafarers International Union of North
America, and all the Seafarers apprentices here; and President Ron Davis
of the Marine Engineers Beneficial Association. It's good to see you all.
It is an honor to be here today to christen this ship—the largest cruise
ship ever built to sail under the American flag. And it is the first brand-new U.S.
flagged ocean-going passenger ship in nearly 50 years.
After she leaves New York Harbor, she will set sail for Hawaii. And
everywhere she goes, she will be a showcase of the many things we love
about America—the Bald Eagle, a symbol of strength and freedom; great
American heroes like Jefferson; and even the U.S. Capitol, where legislation
was passed and later signed by President George W. Bush that made this
venture possible.
The ship is a symbol of triumph. She is a symbol of fortitude and undiminished
vision. She is a symbol of hope.
We take special pride in the men and women
who will crew this ship—some of whom are here today. The 3-ship Hawaiian
fleet of Norwegian Cruise Line America will sail under the U.S. flag. And
as Secretary of Labor, I'm pleased that 20,000 new jobs will be created,
or are being created, for Americans, including nearly 3,000 to 4,000 seafarers.
Now, that's something to celebrate!
And so, it is with pride in the American workforce that I christen this
ship.
May God bless this ship, her passengers and crew. And may God bless America.
* * * * *
I name this ship Pride of America. May God
bless her and all who sail in her.
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