WE NEED YOU NOW MORE THAN EVER!!!

June 30, 2005 

A MESSAGE OF IMPORTANCE!!! 

IF YOU WANT OUR BATTLESHIP IOWA IN SAN FRANCISCO, NOT STOCKTON, PLEASE PARTICIPATE IN WRITING LETTERS TO THE HOUSE ARMED SERVICE MEMBERS AND YOUR STATE SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVES.

BACKGROUND:

We are presently confronted with an issue that is time sensitive in nature and requires that all of us participate in a letter writing campaign that will help influence the outcome of possible alternatives. As you may or may not know, a member of the House of Representatives recently placed Bill HR1815 legislation in the Fiscal Year 2006 National Defense Authorization Act, Section 1014 titled "TRANSFER OF U.S.S. IOWA".  The issue of concern is the written content of the bill which states that IOWA will be transferred to the port of Stockton, CA when IOWA is reclassified to donation status. It appears that he sneaked a piece of legislation into the Bill which we consider as an egregious attempt to bypass the US Navy Donation Program presently in place. The Program insures that a naval vessel being considered for donation to all qualified applicants is 1) open to all cities who file an application to acquire a naval vessel for museum status, and 2) guarantees that a naval vessel must comply to Navy protocol and standards worthy of museum/memorial status.  If passed as written, the legislation basically tells the Navy what they can and can't do when it comes to inactive vessels, thus threatening the future of the program The Senate is in the process of preparing their version of the bill for consideration in conference to finalize the Fiscal Year 2006 National Defense Authorization Act. We have less than 1 month to make an impact and set this legislation on the right course and preserve the current US Navy Donation process that is in place.  Now is the time to step up to the plate and help make this project in California a reality! HOW YOU CAN HELP! 1) Go through the attached list(s) of congressional members in the Senate and House and write/email/fax or phone all of the members in the Senate and House Armed Services Committee, following the basic language as documented for your use below.  CONTACT INFORMATION is provided for you. 2) Write your local Senators and House of Representatives members and urge them for "Fair Competition". 3) Contact Merilyn Wong at 415-381-2029 and get a copy of the petition and collect as many signatures as possible. SUGGESTED BASIC INFORMATION FOR YOUR FAX/EMAIL/LETTER or PHONE CALL: 

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Date 

Representative OR Senator, 

I am writing/contacting you in regards to H.R.1815-Fiscal Year 2006 National Defense Authorization Act, Section 1014 titled "TRANSFER OF U.S.S. IOWA". This bill identifies a specific location and city for the U.S.S. Iowa to be placed as part of the Navy Donation Program. I strongly object to this portion of the bill which causes unfair competition and contradicts the current US Navy process in place. I feel that you, members of Congress, have a moral and ethical duty to defend all legislative processes in place to protect and insure that a competitive process exists for all who request your help regardless of the subject as in the case of HR1815.  I know of only two organizations interested in the IOWA, a San Francisco 501(c)3 organization and the Port of Stockton organization. I respectfully request and encourage you to oppose the language in HR1815 to guarantee that an open and competitive environment is maintained for other organizations who are interested in acquiring this historical treasure. 

Sincerely,

{your name}

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Your voice will be heard...take the time to contact both Armed Services Committees and your local Representatives and Senators.  We encourage you to join in preventing this situation from happening. Let's stick together as a team to bring IOWA to San Francisco. 

Paul Gomez 
Veteran Association of the USS IOWA 

Jonathan Williams 
Historic Ships Memorial at Pacific Square