A resolution to support the naming of certain United States Navy ships after notable civil rights leaders and to strongly encourage the Department of Defense not to change the names of such ships.
- Bill Number
- S.Res. 264
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Armed Forces and National Security
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-06-05: Referred to the Committee on Armed Services. (text: CR S3256)
- Last Updated
- 2025-07-16T15:11:28Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose of the Legislation
This Senate Resolution (S. Res. 264) expresses strong support for naming United States Navy ships—specifically the John Lewis-class fleet replenishment oilers—after prominent civil rights leaders. It aims to honor their contributions to equality and justice while urging the Department of Defense (DoD) to preserve these names. These ships play a key role in providing fuel to Navy vessels and aircraft, particularly those supporting aircraft carriers.
Key Provisions
- Support for Ship Naming: The resolution endorses naming the John Lewis-class oilers after civil rights icons, including:
- John Lewis (the class and lead ship, named after the former Congressman and civil rights activist).
- Other honorees: Harvey Milk (gay rights advocate), Earl Warren (former Supreme Court Chief Justice), Robert F. Kennedy (former Attorney General), Lucy Stone (women's rights activist), Sojourner Truth (abolitionist and women's rights advocate), Thurgood Marshall (first Black Supreme Court Justice), Ruth Bader Ginsburg (former Supreme Court Justice and women's rights pioneer), Harriet Tubman (abolitionist and Underground Railroad leader), Dolores Huerta (labor and civil rights activist), Joshua L. Goldberg (civil rights lawyer), and Thomas D. Parham (civil rights leader).
- Encouragement Against Renaming: It strongly urges the DoD not to alter any of these ship names, emphasizing the Navy's role in celebrating these leaders' legacies.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This is a non-binding resolution, meaning it does not create or amend any laws. It does not introduce enforceable changes but serves as a formal statement of the Senate's position. Ship naming is traditionally an executive branch decision (handled by the Navy Secretary), so this resolution has no direct legal effect but could influence future administrative actions.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The DoD and U.S. Navy may feel political pressure to maintain the names, potentially stabilizing naming traditions and avoiding internal debates over historical tributes. It could enhance the Navy's public image by linking it to civil rights history.
- On Citizens: Symbolic benefits include increased recognition of civil rights leaders' legacies, fostering national pride and education about equality. No direct effects on daily life or rights.
- On International Relations: Minimal impact, though it may project U.S. values of civil rights and diversity to allies and adversaries, reinforcing America's commitment to justice abroad.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- U.S. Navy and DoD: Directly addressed, as they manage ship naming and operations.
- Civil Rights Advocates and Honorees' Families: Benefit from the formal recognition and protection of these tributes.
- Congress: The Senate's stance could guide future bipartisan support for similar honors.
- General Public: Indirectly affected through cultural and historical preservation.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: As a "sense of the Senate" resolution, it carries no legal weight or enforcement power (resolutions like this are advisory, not statutes). It respects the executive branch's authority over military naming without challenging it.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's oversight role in defense matters (under Article I), but does not infringe on executive powers. No issues with free speech or equality protections.
- Political: Highlights bipartisan (or at least cross-party) appreciation for civil rights history, potentially reducing controversy over military namings. It could spark debates on balancing historical honors with evolving military priorities, but promotes unity around shared American values.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (1)
Recent Actions
- 2025-06-05: Referred to the Committee on Armed Services. (text: CR S3256)
- 2025-06-05: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- To support the naming of certain United States Navy ships after notable civil rights leaders and to strongly encourage the Department of Defense not to change the names of such ships. — issued 2025-06-05 — PDF (2 pages)