LATHAM HOSTS CEREMONY MARKING PRESERVATION OF USS IOWA HISTORIC SHIP TO BE CONVERTED INTO MUSEUM
Vice Admiral Mark Skinner and Robert Kent from the Pacific Battleship Center sign documentation regarding the USS Iowa in Congressman Latham's office on April 30, 2012.
Washington, Apr 30 – Iowa Congressman Tom Latham hosted a signing ceremony in his Washington office on Monday to officially transfer the battleship USS Iowa from the U.S. Navy to the Pacific Battleship Center, which will preserve the historic vessel and convert it into a memorial and museum.
“Iowans are proud that one of the greatest symbols of American naval might bears the name of our state,” Congressman Latham said. “It’s a distinct honor to have worked alongside the thousands of Iowans who helped make this day a reality. The groundswell of support to save this powerful piece of American history has been nothing short of inspiring. My thanks go out to everyone at the U.S. Navy, the Pacific Battleship Center and to everyone across the country who contributed to this effort.”
The USS Iowa, a World War II-era battleship that was once the pride of the U.S. Navy, faced an uncertain future last year as it sat rusting in the San Francisco Bay among scores of mothballed Navy vessels. A concerted effort to raise awareness and funding by a coalition of Iowans, veterans, lawmakers and naval history enthusiasts managed to secure a permanent location in Los Angeles where the USS Iowa could be converted into a museum. The coalition acted as quickly as possible to move the vessel before changing weather conditions would have made it more difficult to move the ship from its location in San Francisco.
Congressman Latham sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus in August 2011, urging the Navy to preserve the USS Iowa. Congressman Latham worked closely with Iowa legislators, officials and citizens to make sure the vessel could be moved swiftly to its permanent location.
“When the future of the USS Iowa was in doubt, concerned citizens from across the country did everything they could to make sure future generations would know the historic significance of this battleship,” Congressman Latham said. “Those who served aboard the USS Iowa contributed to the U.S. effort in World War II, the Korean War and beyond. The USS Iowa transported President Franklin Roosevelt to and from the Tehran Conference. It’s absolutely fitting that her legacy will live on.”
The USS Iowa was moved from its mothball location in March and is currently undergoing restoration
