Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - Naval Cruise Book

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CAEL ¥1 ©M AT LAUNCHING 15 MARCH 1980 On March 15, 1980, Carl Vinson became the first living American to have a Navy ship named in his honor, when the aircraft carrier U.S.S. CARL VINSON was launched at Newport News, Virginia.

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During 1941-42, he sponsored and passed 99 defense related bills through the House stressing accelerated con- struction of warships in anticipation of hostilities to come. Vinson encouraged the United States to adopt two basic policies: to retain armed physical strength to dis- courage aggression, and to develop spiritual strength to make peace a viable reality. In 1947 he became the first chairman of the newly formed House Armed Forces Committee, where he faced down a succession of Presi- dential and Congressional attempts to reduce defense spending. He remained a powerful force in maintaining U.S. military defenses until his retirement in 1964 after serving an unprecedented 25 terms in the U.S. House of Representatives. CONGRESSMAN VINSON 1914

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Below are some quotes by Carl Vinson: Once you start to plow a row, plow it straight and hard to the end of the line. No person representing the American people should ever place the defense of this nation below any other priority. The most expensive thing in the world is a cheap army and navy. History has clearly shown that weakness in- vites attacks. 1 will have to leave it to others to sell the idea that we can rise by falling, that we can advance by retreating, that we can achieve strength through weakness.