I suspect this congressman has his head stuck up his a** and any Marine would be insulted to have his name on a USNS ship. But that is just me, I hated those pukes.
Nmysys wrote: It's a kiss-up to the Hispanic community to garner votes, no matter what the article says.
House of Representatives
Congressman Prefers Fallen Marine as Name on Navy Cargo Vessel
By Stephen Clark
Published May 18, 2011
| FoxNews.com
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Marine Corps Sgt. Rafael Peralta, who died in Iraq, has been mentioned as an alternative to Cesar Chavez for the name of a cargo ship under construction in San Diego. (U.S. Marines via AP)
Marine Corps Sgt. Rafael Peralta, who died in Iraq, has been mentioned as an alternative to Cesar Chavez for the name of a cargo ship under construction in San Diego. (U.S. Marines via AP)
The Navy's decision to name a cargo ship now under construction after labor activist Cesar Chavez has drawn sharp criticism from one veteran lawmaker who says that a military war hero should receive the honor instead.
Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-Calif., who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, said he understands the Navy's desire to honor Hispanic leaders, but the Navy may want to skip the politically divisive names and opt for an outstanding service member.
"If this decision were about recognizing the Hispanic community's contribution to our nation, many other names come to mind, including Marine Corps Sergeant Rafael Peralta, who was nominated for the Medal of Honor for action in Iraq. Peralta is one of many Hispanic war heroes -- some of whom are worthy of the same recognition," said Hunter, a Reserve lieutenant in the Marines who says he was informed of the decision by Navy officials Tuesday
Some military leaders, some astronauts, even Amelia Earhart who I don't think ever served in the military. Hey there is even one named after Matthew Perry! OK, not THAT Matthew Perry. Not sure I see a pattern (or tradition) to the names chosen.
I'm surprised the article didn't complain about the Medgar Evers (or did it?). Well, at least he was a WWII vet.
Nmysys wrote: It's a kiss-up to the Hispanic community to garner votes, no matter what the article says.
Why would the Navy be kissing up to the hispanic community, unless they are looking to attract more hispanic Navy recruits? What kind of hispanic votes would the Navy get anyway?
Any kissing up that the Navy does and it does kiss up, is all about money.
named for Sacagawea, the Shoshone woman who acted as guide and interpreter for the Lewis and Clark Expedition, and one of the few United States Navy ships named for women.
Nmysys wrote: It's a kiss-up to the Hispanic community to garner votes, no matter what the article says.
Why would the Navy be kissing up to the hispanic community, unless they are looking to attract more hispanic Navy recruits? What kind of hispanic votes would the Navy get anyway?
""We suggested the name Cesar Chavez for the ship because we're in Barrio Logan and want to be good neighbors, and we want to show respect for our workers," said James Gill, a NASSCO spokesman.
About 60 percent of NASSCO's 3,600 employees are Hispanic.
Over the past decade, NASSCO has been building dry cargo ships for use by the Navy's Military Sealift Command. All of the ships are named after explorers or people who were pioneers in their fields. The names of the other 13 ships are:
Lewis and Clark, Sacagawea , Alan Shepard, Richard E. Byrd, Robert E. Peary, Amelia Earhart, Carl Brashear, Wally Schirra, Matthew Perry, Charles Drew, Washington Chambers, William McLean, Medgar Evers.
The newest vessel in this line will be the first to be named after a Mexican-American. "
