Raptakis Meets with Key Officials in Washington to Ensure Continued U.S. Support for Finalizing Liberty Ship Project

Rhode Island State Senator Leonidas Raptakis, who has been leading an effort to secure the donation of the last remaining Liberty Ship to the Greek government for use as a floating museum, held a series of meetings in Washington last week with top federal officials to move toward completion of the Liberty Ship project

Coventry, RI (PRWEB) May 23, 2007 -- Rhode Island State Senator Leonidas Raptakis, who has been leading an effort to secure the donation of the last remaining Liberty Ship to the Greek government for use as a floating museum, held a series of meetings in Washington last week with top federal officials to move toward completion of the Liberty Ship project. Raptakis said that after meeting with Congressional leaders and officials from the United States Maritime Administration (MARAD) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the effort to secure the donation of the Arthur M. Huddell, the last surviving Liberty Ship, is on track pending the completion of environmental tests and developing any necessary cleanup plan for the vessel.

"This was an important series of meetings, which I organized to make sure that the United States government understands that there is broad support for this project in the US and in Greece," said Raptakis. "As long as the Greek government maintains its clear commitment to supporting this effort, I believe we will receive the assistance we need from the US government agencies to advance the donation of the Huddell to Greece."

Raptakis briefed Senator Sheldon Whitehouse and Congressmen Zach Space, John Sarbanes and Gus Bilirakis. He also held a meeting with officials from the Greek Embassy in Washington, MARAD, the EPA, and Spartacus Security to discuss the environmental sampling plan for the vessel. The Greek Ministry of Mercantile Marine and private sources in Greece have donated the $120,000 necessary to complete the testing of more than 650 samples from the Huddell that were required by the EPA. Once the testing is completed, MARAD indicated a remediation plan would be developed to address any environmental concerns related to the vessel. EPA expressed their satisfaction with the process and assured their commitment to completing the work and ensuring the successful transfer of the vessel to the Greek Government.

The Huddell is the last remaining Liberty Ship in private hands, one of a number of vessels loaned to the Greek government as part of an effort to rebuild the Greek merchant fleet, which suffered heavy damage in the battle for freedom during World War II, and to provide food, medicine and supplies during the crucial Cold War years. The Liberty ships were cargo ships built in the United States during World War II. Conceived by the British, the design was adopted by the American government as a cheap and quick way to produce vessels that could replace ships torpedoed by German U-boats. Eighteen American shipyards built 2,751 Liberties between 1941 and 1945.

"So many people in both Greece and the United States have committed considerable time and energy into making the donation of the Huddell happen," said Raptakis. "We need to recognize those efforts and focus on advancing this project now that we are in the final stage of making this dream a reality."

Raptakis concluded, "Working together, we have a chance to make sure the Huddell assumes its rightful role as a museum which will educate future generations about the shared history of the Greek and American people."                     

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