Washington, D.C. -- The U.S. House of Representatives today commemorated the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard on its 100th year of service, passing a congratulatory resolution introduced by Representative Neil Abercrombie.  

“Congress established the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard on May 13, 1908, and over the century, it has grown from a coaling and repair station to a critical and indispensable bulwark in America’s national defense,” Abercrombie said.  “In World War II, Pearl Harbor Shipyard workers earned the motto, ‘We keep them fit to fight.’  They resurrected the United States Pacific Fleet from the mud at the bottom of Pearl Harbor, performed miraculous repairs that helped turn the tide of the war at the Battle of Midway, and maintained the Navy that would ultimately sail triumphantly into Tokyo Bay.”

Since then, the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard has demonstrated its diverse capabilities by supporting America’s space exploration, Antarctic expeditions, and national missile defense.  It continues to support the United States Pacific Fleet as the largest ship repair facility between the West Coast of the United States and the Far East, providing full-service maintenance for ships and submarines throughout the Asia-Pacific Theater.

The shipyard is the largest industrial employer in Hawaii and the largest fully integrated military-civilian workforce involved in full-service shipyard work in the United States.  It has a direct annual economic impact of more than $600,000,000 in Hawaii, and through its apprentice, engineer co-op, and other student-hire programs, provides training, employment, and career opportunities for residents. Pearly Harbor Naval Shipyard has earned multiple national awards for its dedicated environmental stewardship and excellent safety programs, including the prestigious Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s Star award in May 2007.

“It is my honor to represent the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard in the Congress of the United States and to congratulate the men and women who provide such exceptional service to our nation by keeping the U.S. Pacific Fleet ‘fit to fight.’”

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