Commissioning Ceremony Saturday, June 10, 2017 Pier 21 Port of Galveston, Texas
April 5, 2017 Honorary Committee President George H.W. Bush Honorable James A. Baker III William W. Pickavance, Jr. Rear Admiral, U.S. Navy (Ret.) Mark Kelly Astronaut Captain, U.S. Navy (Ret.) Scott Kelly Astronaut Captain, U.S. Navy (Ret.) Mike Fossum Chief Operating Officer, Texas A&M Galveston Vice President, Texas A&M University NASA Astronaut (Ret.) Colonel U.S. Air Force, (Ret.) Lynn Wyatt Former Board of Visitors, U.S. Naval Academy To Whom it May Concern: As of the (LCS 10) I am proud to lead the Committee in its mission, particularly to bring the ship and her crew to Galveston, Texas, for commissioning in June 2017. The Commissioning Committee is a civilian volunteer group that is managing and funding the USS Gabrielle Giffords (LCS 10) commissioning. Its mission is to marshal citizens and resources in support of the ship s commissioning and events surrounding her entry into the U.S. Navy Fleet. The committee s goals are to: - Arrange and support events during Commissioning Week that will enhance the morale of the crew and their families. - Plan and host numerous commissioning events, involving thousands of persons. - Raise funds to establish the Commissioning Foundation for the benefit of the first and future crews of the ship. - Coordinate efforts to generate attention to and her mission. To find out how you or your company can make a corporate donation as a sponsor, please see the attached flyer for more information. Corporate, as well as individual participation, is encouraged. The Commissioning Foundation is a 501(c)3 organization and monetary gifts are tax deductible when made to the Foundation and designated for support of the USS Gabrielle Giffords events associated with the commissioning and post-commissioning support of the ship and crew. Donated funds will be used to pay for items directly related to the mission, which neither the U.S. Government nor the U.S. Navy will pay. The ship is an Independence-class, littoral-combat ship named after former U.S. Representative Gabrielle Giffords. The ship s name was announced by Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus on 10 February 2012. will be the 16th U.S. naval ship named for a woman, and the 13th U.S. naval ship since 1850 to be named after a living person. The ship, built by Austal USA in Mobile, Alabama, was delivered to the U.S. Navy on 23 December 2016. Your donations and support are encouraged and I look forward to seeing you at the commissioning. All donations may be sent to: Landry s Inc. c/o Nicki Keenan 1510 West Loop South Houston, Texas 77027 Sincerely, Dr. Jill Biden Ship s Sponsor Ernie Connor Chief of Staff of the Mark Kelly U.S. Navy (Ret.) The Honorable Gabrielle Giffords Former Member of Congress
Former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and Mark Kelly (USN, Retired) in front of the Former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and Mark Kelly viewing a model of the Independence variant LCS leaving Mobile, Alabama
It It is is appropriate that that the the ship ship is is named for for Gabrielle Giffords, whose name is is synonymous with courage when she she inspired the the nation with remarkable resiliency and and showed the the possibilities of of the the human spirit. - Former Secretary of of the the Navy, Ray Ray Mabus The is a high-speed, shallow draft, multi-mission ship designed to operate in coastal areas around the world. It will be the ninth littoral combat ship and the fifth of the Independence variant to enter the fleet. The selection of Gabrielle Giffords honors the former congresswoman from Tucson, Arizona who is known for supporting the military and veterans, advocating for renewable energy and championing border security. Specific to the LCS-10 is the ship s crest with Ms. Giffords family coat of arms and the motto Je Suis Prest which translates to I Am Ready. A phrase that accurately connects to naval heritage, preparedness, and her willingness to serve. Key Dates in the Life of the : Keel Laid April 6, 2014 Christened June 13, 2015 Commissioned June 10, 2017 Class Independence-variant littoral combat ship Displacement 3,200 MT full load Length 421.5 ft. (128.5 meters) Beam 103.7 ft. (31.6 meters) Draft 15.1 ft.. (4.6 meters) Propulsion Two gas turbine engines, two propulsion diesels, two water jets Speed 40+ knots Ship Crew Core of 50 officers and enlisted personnel Aircraft Two MH-60R/S Seahawks and an MQ-8 Fire Scout Armament BAE Systems Mk 110 57 mm gun, Four.50-cal guns (2 aft, 2 forward), and Evolved SeaRAM 11 cell missile launcher
CORPORATE SPONSORSHIP LEVELS USS GABRIELLE GIFFORDS LCS 10 You can support the LCS 10 and her dedicated officers and crew by making a contribution that will raise funds for traditional commissioning week events and establish a morale and welfare fund for the officers, crew and their families. The benefits associated with each of the levels are indicated below. Commissioning Foundation is an authorized 501(c)3 organization. Contributions are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. Fleet Admiral - $25,000 - Access to 4 Hotel Rooms at the Hilton Galveston Island Resort (Subject to availability) - Invitation for 2 to Commissioning Committee Reception - Invitations for 20 to the s Reception - Invitation for 6 to pre-reception VIP photo line - Sponsor logo on red carpet step and repeat - Acknowledgement of sponsorship during the s Remarks - Seating for 20 in Reserved Main Guest Area at Commissioning Ceremony - *Honorary Plank Owner Plaque Admiral - $20,000 - Access to 2 Hotel Rooms at the Hilton Galveston Island Resort (Subject to availability) - Invitation for 1 to Commissioning Committee Reception - Invitations for 15 to s Reception - Invitation for 4 to pre-reception VIP photo line - Sponsor logo on red carpet step and repeat - Seating for 15 in Reserved Main Guest Area at Commissioning Ceremony - *Honorary Plank Owner Plaque Vice Admiral - $15,000 - Access to 1 Hotel Room at the Hilton Galveston Island Resort (Subject to availability) - Invitations for 12 to the s Reception - Invitation for 2 to pre-reception VIP photo line - Sponsor logo on red carpet step and repeat - Seating for 12 in Reserved Main Guest Area at Commissioning Ceremony - *Honorary Plank Owner Plaque Rear Admiral - $10,000 - Invitations for 10 to the s Reception - Seating for 10 in Reserved Main Guest Area at Commissioning Ceremony - Honorary Plank Owner Certificate Captain - $5,000 - Invitations for 8 to the s Reception - Seating for 8 in Reserved Main Guest Area at Commissioning Ceremony - Honorary Plank Owners Certificate *See Next Page for Details **Please refer to the following page for a tentative schedule of events.
Tentative Schedule Commissioning Ceremony Events Thursday, June 8 th Saturday, June 10 th Thursday, June 8 th : Commissioning Committee Reception Friday, June 9 th : s Reception & Gala Saturday, June 10 th : Commissioning Ceremony of the **Further Details Pending** Honorary Plank Owner Plaque