News on ex-Razorback and ex-HOGA (YT 146) 26 March 2004

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Since 04-02-04

From: Nawojczyk, Steve 
Sent: Friday, March 26, 2004 8:50 AM
Subject: Arkansas Inland Maritime Museum Bulletin 04-0002

March 26, 2004
 
Two items of note in today’s message—
 
On March 25, 2004, Mayor Hays completed the transfer of the USS Razorback (Murat-Reis) from Turkey’s ownership giving the vessel to the Arkansas Inland Maritime Museum.  The Mayor and Greg Zonner (past commander USSVI Razorback Base) will today be working on moving her from Golchek to Tuzla to begin her prep work for tow.
 
Almost simultaneously, AIMM also received the below message from NAVSEA--  As always, our website at www.NorthLittleRock.AR.gov  will have information as it is available.
 
The following is the text of a letter sent to Mayor Patrick H. Hays from Captain L.M. Jones, Jr., the Program Manager of the Inactive Ships Program Office:
 
Dear Mayor Hays:

I am pleased to advise that the Secretary of the Navy has selected the Arkansas Inland Maritime Museum to acquire the harbor tug ex-HOGA (YT 146) for use as a memorial and museum.  You and all members of your team worked extremely hard to develop a comprehensive donation application.  It was only possible to reach this decision after a detailed evaluation of all financial, technical and curatorial areas in each application.
As you know, ex-HOGA’s availability for donation generated competing requests from organizations in several cities, such as, Honolulu, Hawaii; Ft. Lauderdale, Florida; San Francisco, California; (and) Hollywood, Florida.  After careful assessment, the Secretary of the Navy determined that it was in the Nation’s best interest to place ex-HOGA on public display at North Little Rock.  In accordance with the donation statute (10 USC 3706), the Secretary will notify Congress of this proposed donation.  30 days of continuous session of Congress must expire before the Secretary may transfer the vessel and finalize the donation contract.

Thank you and the citizens of Arkansas for your sustained efforts on behalf of the historic harbor tug ex-HOGA.  As always, if I can be of further assistance, please let me know.
 
SIGNED: 
Capt. L.M. Jones, Jr.
March 25, 2004

AIMM- 04-0002