U.S. Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.) today hosted a ceremony with U.S. Navy Secretary Richard V. Spencer announcing the Navy’s intent to name a guided-missile destroyer in honor of Senator Richard G. Lugar at the Indiana War Memorial in Indianapolis. The future warship will be named USS RICHARD G. LUGAR. Senator Young was joined by the Lugar family and members of the Indiana delegation for the event.
“When Senator Richard Lugar passed away in April of this year, Indiana and the entire country lost a great statesman. It was clear to me in the days after his passing that our country needed to do something significant in his memory that recognizes his legacy as a Navy veteran, a public servant, and Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee,” said Senator Young. “Today, we announced such a tribute. A future Naval guided-missile destroyer will now be named in his honor.”
“Senator Lugar dedicated his life to his country, first through service in the U.S. Navy then through service in Congress,” said U.S. Navy Secretary Richard V. Spencer. “I am honored to name a future Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer after him. It is fitting this class of ship should bear Senator Lugar’s name, just as he served under Admiral Burke in life. This ship and her crew will continue his legacy of service, safeguarding the safety and security of America and her allies all over the world.”
“On behalf of the entire Lugar family we are beyond grateful to Senator Young, Senator Braun, and U.S. Navy Secretary Spencer for their leadership that has brought us together for this wonderful occasion. Knowing that someday the brave women and men of the United States Navy shall set sail on the USS Richard G. Lugar to serve and protect the United States of America is an incredible way to honor our father’s legacy of public service to our country. He would be so humbled but also so proud at this moment. Richard Lugar loved his service in the United States Navy working with Admiral Burke and has a long and wonderful history of working with the men and women of the United States Navy in many capacities. We are honored to share this moment with each of you and our fellow Hoosiers,” said the Lugar Family.
“Senator Richard Lugar is a towering figure in Hoosier history and one of the greatest statesmen ever to serve in the U.S. Senate, and all Hoosiers should be proud that the Navy has decided to honor his legacy of service in this way,” said Senator Mike Braun.
In June, Senator Young and Senator Mike Braun (R-Ind.) introduced an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act that called for the Navy’s next unnamed Arleigh Burke Class Destroyer warship to be named in honor of the late Senator Lugar. As the sole authority to name Navy ships resides with the Secretary of the Navy, Secretary Spencer called Senator Young shortly after the amendment was introduced to inform him of the Navy’s decision to name a ship after Senator Lugar.
Senator Lugar volunteered for the U.S. Navy and served his country as an officer from 1957-1960, including as an intelligence briefer to then Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Arleigh Burke. As Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Senator Lugar was a leader in reducing the threat of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons bypassing and overseeing the implementation of the bipartisan Nunn-Lugar program, which deactivated more than 7,600 nuclear warheads, millions of chemical munitions, and several thousand nuclear-capable missiles, and continues to perform non-proliferation missions in more than forty countries.
