Walter B. Jones: “Mr. Speaker, last month I introduced H.R. 24, legislation to redesignate the Department of the Navy to be the Department…”

“Mr. Speaker, last month I introduced H.R. 24, legislation to redesignate the Department of the Navy to be the Department of Navy and Marine Corps. For the past 7 years, the language of this bill has been part of the House version of the National Defense Authorization Act... This year I hope the Senate will support the change and adopt the House position and join in bringing proper respect to the fighting team, the Navy and Marine Corps. There is much I could say about the history of both great services, but the reason for this legislation always comes down to one issue-- whenever a chief of Navy operations or commandant of the Marine Corps has come to testify before the Armed Services Committee, I've heard the Navy and the Marine Corps say, ``We are one fighting team.'' This is true, and I believe this. Then why should not the team be named ``Navy and Marine Corps''? Changing the name of the Department of the Navy to the Department of the Navy and Marine Corps is a symbolic gesture, but it is important to the team.”