July 17, 2021 - The Navy will christen its first-in-class John Lewis-class replenishment oiler, the future USNS John Lewis (T-AO 205), during a 9 a.m. PDT ceremony 
Saturday, July 17, in San Diego, California.
(Left) An Oiler ship on the sea - credit: DOD
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi, will deliver the ceremonial principal address. Remarks will also be provided by Mr. James Geurts, performing the duties of Under Secretary of the Navy; Vice Adm. Ross Myers, commander, Fleet Cyber Command and commander, U.S. Tenth Fleet; Rear Adm. Michael Wettlaufer, commander, Military Sealift Command; and Mr. Marcus Tyner, nephew of the ship’s namesake. In a time-honored Navy tradition, the ship’s sponsor, Ms. Alfre Woodard Spencer, will christen the ship by breaking a bottle of sparkling wine across the bow.
“Tomorrow we christen the first John Lewis-class replenishment oiler,” said acting Secretary of the Navy Thomas Harker. “Leaders like Representative Lewis taught us that diversity of backgrounds and experiences help contribute to the strength of our nation. There is no doubt that the future Sailors aboard this ship will be galvanized by Lewis’ legacy.”
The future USNS John Lewis is the first ship in its class and will be operated by the Navy’s Military Sealift Command. The ship is named in honor of the late politician and civil rights leader. John Lewis-class oilers will be named for other prominent civil rights leaders and activists.
The John Lewis-class ships are based on commercial design standards and will recapitalize the current T-AO 187-class fleet replenishment oilers to provide underway replenishment of fuel to U.S. Navy ships at sea. These ships are part of the Navy's Combat Logistics Force.
In June 2016, the Navy awarded a $3.2 billion contract to General Dynamics NASSCO in San Diego for the design and construction of the first six ships of the Future Fleet Replenishment Ship, the John Lewis-class (T-AO 205), with construction commencing in September 2018. The Navy plans to procure 20 ships of the new class.
Lewis passed July 17, 2020; the christening marks the one-year anniversary of his death.
Source: DOD
Pelosi Announces Members of Congressional Delegation to San Diego for Christening of USNS John Lewis
San Francisco – Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced Members of the Congressional delegation she will lead to San Diego for the Christening Ceremony for the USNS John Lewis. The program will honor the late Congressman John Lewis of Georgia and will take place on July 17, 2021, one year after the Congressman’s passing.
The Members of the delegation are:
- Speaker Nancy Pelosi
- House Democratic Caucus Chair Hakeem Jeffries
- Chairwoman Maxine Waters
- Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson
- Chairman Gregory Meeks
- Chairman Mark Takano
- Chairwoman Joyce Beatty
- Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee
- Congresswoman Barbara Lee
- Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky
- Congressman G.K. Butterfield
- Congressman Hank Johnson
- Congresswoman Jackie Speier
- Congressman John Garamendi
- Congresswoman Terri Sewell
- Congressman Dan Kildee
- Congressman Scott Peters
- Congressman Juan Vargas
- Congressman Marc Veasey
- Congressman Buddy Carter
- Congresswoman Brenda Lawrence
- Congresswoman Nanette Barragán
- Congressman Anthony Brown
- Congressman Salud Carbajal
- Congressman Mike Levin
- Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher
- Congresswoman Sara Jacobs
- Congresswoman Nikema Williams
“As House Speaker, it is my official and personal honor to lead this distinguished group of Members to pay tribute to our beloved colleague and dear friend, the late Congressman John Lewis,” said Speaker Nancy Pelosi. “John Lewis was a true warrior for freedom, who helped transform America with his unrivaled courage, patriotism and goodness. It is fitting that, one year after his passing, so many of John’s friends will gather this weekend to celebrate his saintly life and to christen a naval ship bearing his name, a beautiful testament to his legacy as one of the greatest heroes of American history.”
Speaker Pelosi continued, “As the USNS John Lewis sets sail across the sea in service to our nation, may this beautiful ship be a beacon of strength and inspiration as we carry on John’s life mission: to pursue a more perfect union.”
The USNS John Lewis is the lead ship of the T-AO Fleet Oiler Program, which transfers fuel to the Navy’s carrier strike groups operating at sea. The remaining oilers in the John Lewis class will be named after prominent civil rights leaders: USNS Harvey Milk (T-AO 206), USNS Earl Warren (T-AO 207), USNS Robert F. Kennedy (T-AO 208), USNS Lucy Stone (T-AO 209) and USNS Sojourner Truth (T-AO 210).
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WHO: |
Speaker Pelosi Members of Congressional Delegation |
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WHAT: |
Speaker Pelosi, Members of Congressional Delegation Participate in Christening of USNS John Lewis |
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WHEN: |
Saturday, July 17th, at 9:00 a.m. P.T./12:00 p.m. E.T. |
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WHERE: |
Livestream of the ceremony will be available here. |
Source: Speaker Nancy Pelosi
