It has been 85 years since the only USS North Dakota has sailed the high seas. Since its decommission in 1923, North Dakota has continued to support all branches of the armed services, including the Navy. Those people have gone on to become Secretaries, Governors, and great citizens of both North Dakota and the United States.

In a press conference on May 5th, U.S. Senator Byron Dorgan, Governor John Hoeven, the Bismarck-Mandan Chamber and the Chamber of Fargo Moorhead announced a number of

public events to “Float the Boat” and encourage Navy Secretary Donald Winter to name a new Virginia-class submarine after North Dakota.

“It’s clear to me that our state deserves to be honored with another USS North Dakota, but before that happens we’ll have to get together and convince the Secretary of the Navy,” Senator Dorgan said. “I’m pleased that Secretary Christopher and so many others have accepted our request to be part of this committee. North Dakota may be a landlocked state, but we contribute a lot to the U.S. Navy. A new ship named after our state would be a fitting tribute to all of our veterans.”

The Secretary of the Navy is the sole person that decides the name of Navy warships. Through this effort, the goal is to express support from across the state that North Dakota will take pride in and support a vessel named after the state. Over the next six weeks, a series of events are planned to generate statewide support.

“It’s been 88 years since a warship named North Dakota sailed the world,” said Governor John Hoeven. “I am asking for everyone across the state to help us express their support for this initiative. From our children to our veterans, to succeed, we need your help to convince Secretary Winter that North Dakota can “Float the Boat.”

As part of the press conference, Senator Dorgan read a letter from former Secretary of State and Scranton native Warren Christopher, who agreed to Dorgan’s request to be the honorary Chairman of this effort. Secretary Christopher wrote:

“When I was a young Navy Ensign during World War II in 1945, I visited a friend on the USS New York, a mighty battleship. I thought at the time that some day North Dakota should have a Navy ship named to recognize the State’s contributions for our national defense. Now in 2008, the time has certainly come, and I am honored to be a part of this effort.”

Senator Dorgan asked Governor Hoeven, Senator Kent Conrad, Congressman Earl Pomeroy and a number of former governors, businesspeople and other North Dakotans to be part of “Crew North Dakota.”

To conclude the press conference, Governor Hoeven announced the first event to float the U.S.S. North Dakota; A statewide coloring contest for kids across the state. The Bismarck-Mandan Chamber is partnering with the North Dakota Newspaper Association to place a submarine in newspapers across the state.

Children from ages 2 to 12 are encouraged to participate. The top three in each age category will receive a small prize. Entries can be returned to the Bismarck-Mandan Chamber, P.O. Box 1675, Bismarck, ND 58502-1675.

Over the next six to eight weeks, a number of opportunities for the public to help “float the boat” will take place. North Dakotans and nationwide supporters are asked to watch the media for more details.

The first and only USS North Dakota was decommissioned in 1923. Despite the state’s significant contributions to the U.S. Navy, as well as the other branches of the U.S. military, North Dakota is one of only five states that have not had more than one ship named for it.

Learn more from The Forum of Fargo Moorhead's online article. For more information please contact the Bismarck-Mandan Chamber at 701.223.5660.