WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King was honored by the Navy League Capital Council as the 2023 recipient of its Congressional Sea Services Award in an event held on Capitol Hill. This award, presented annually to a member of Congress, recognizes outstanding leadership and contributions to the United States Sea Services. Senator King accepted it on behalf of the men and women of the sea services and shipbuilders at Bath Iron Works (BIW) and Portsmouth Naval Shipyard.

Senator King was presented with a binnacle, a casing that holds a ship’s compass and lamp – which will reside in his Senate office for a year. The traveling ‘trophy’ is the actual binnacle from the Sioux Falls Victory ship that saw action, and received a battlestar, in the amphibious assault of Okinawa, Japan in 1945. The ship also served in the Korean and Vietnam Wars.

“We all talk about ships and we talk about aircraft, but it’s the people – the wonderful people that we have serving us,” said Senator King. “The military and our first responders, when you think about it, have the only jobs where you sign your name you’re putting your life on the line. That’s not true for 95-percent of the jobs in our society. These are the young people who put their lives on the line when they sign up and it’s something that we have to constantly remember.”

“This is a tremendous honor and I really am overwhelmed and delighted, but I have accepted it on behalf of the shipbuilders in Maine, the shipbuilders in Mississippi, the Coasties along the Maine coast and the Naval personnel all over the country. This isn’t my award, this is their award. Thank you,” concluded Senator King.

“Senator King has been a long-standing and outspoken advocate for our nation’s safety and security. He has tirelessly fought for a strong national defense, with particular emphasis on maritime forces and seapower, championing funding and innovative policies to increase United States shipbuilding capacity and support for our nation’s critical workforce,” the citation from the Navy League Capital Council read.

As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and Chairman of the Strategic Forces Subcommittee, Senator King has been a steadfast supporter of the Navy and Coast Guard. He recently secured key provisions in the FY 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to support the maritime forces and ensure that America’s military can continue providing best in class services to protect the ‘territory of the brave.’ A list of Senator King’s major provisions in the 2024 NDAA can be found HERE. Additionally, Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro visits Maine shipyards regularly, at the invitation of Senator King, most recently at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard.

###