A resolution congratulating the Navy and the current and former officers and crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise (CVN 65) on completion of the 26th and final deployment of the vessel.

Whereas, on November 4, 2012, the U.S.S. Enterprise returned to her homeport of Norfolk, Virginia, after completing the 26th and final deployment of the vessel;

Whereas the U.S.S. Enterprise, the first nuclear powered aircraft carrier to serve the United States, was inactivated on December 1, 2012, after more than 51 years in active service to the Navy and the Nation;

Whereas the U.S.S. Enterprise is the 8th vessel to bear that name and justly and rightfully maintained the honor and tradition of those vessels that previously bore the name;

Whereas the U.S.S. Enterprise participated in the embargo of the island of Cuba ordered by President John Kennedy in the fall of 1962, helping to prevent an escalation of that crisis;

Whereas the U.S.S. Enterprise conducted multiple deployments in support of combat operations during the Vietnam War;

Whereas the U.S.S. Enterprise, upon receiving the news of the September 11, 2001, attacks on the United States while returning home from a six-month deployment, immediately reversed course and was deployed in the Arabian Sea;

Whereas the U.S.S. Enterprise launched hundreds of air strikes into Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom throughout October 2001 to destroy Taliban and al Qaeda targets;

Whereas the U.S.S. Enterprise deployed six times over the last 11 years to conduct combat operations in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom; and

Whereas the U.S.S. Enterprise and the 10 Nimitz-class aircraft carriers of the Navy have proven the wisdom and value of nuclear powered aircraft carriers, which have played crucial roles across the range of military operations, from humanitarian assistance to combat operations, including operations in Iraq and Afghanistan since the beginnings of hostilities, providing, from the sea, unparalleled precision strike, close air support, and surveillance in support of ground combat operations: Now, therefore, be it