Cole's Statement on U.S.S. Oklahoma Memorial Dedication

WASHINGTON - Today Congressman Tom Cole (OK-4) released the following statement after the U.S.S. Oklahoma Memorial Dedication. Cole was able to attend the dedication ceremony and corresponding events in Ford Island, Hawaii, this weekend.

"This memorial is a tribute to honor the sacrifice of every person who served on the Oklahoma," Congressman Cole said. "On this battleship and in these waters, 429 men lost their lives. Those men performed countless acts of bravery, displayed remarkable strength and gave an unimaginable sacrifice for our country. I am proud that they are finally getting the appropriate recognition that they deserve."

"I have also met with many of the surviving service members of the U.S.S. Oklahoma over the past few years. They deserve commendation for their service and recognition for their efforts to see this long-overdue Memorial dedicated. I have been honored to work with them to see this shared vision become a reality. This Memorial will serve as a fitting way to honor those servicemen and will carry the memory of their heroic service into the next Oklahoma century."

In 2005, Congressman Cole, a member of the powerful House Rules Committee, led the debate on the rule for the legislation that authorized the creation of the U.S.S. Oklahoma memorial. A rule must be passed before the actual piece of legislation can be debated. Cole then was able to use his position to ensure that the amendment was added to the manager's amendment and then inserted into the FY06 Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 1815). That amendment directed the Secretary of Interior and the Secretary of the Navy to move forward in the creation of a memorial for the U.S.S. Oklahoma.