Young, Braun Call for Naming of Navy Ship After Senator Richard Lugar

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Todd Young (R-Ind.) and Mike Braun (R-Ind.) today announced they are introducing an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act that calls for the Secretary of the Navy to name the next unnamed Arleigh Burke Class Destroyer warship in honor of Senator Richard G. 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 by passing 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.

“At a time when nuclear proliferation was civilization’s greatest threat, Senator Lugar helped save the world,” said Senator Young. “It is fitting that the Navy honor his legacy by naming one of their warships after this dedicated statesman who helped change the course of history.”

“Senator Richard Lugar is a towering figure in Hoosier history, one of the greatest statesmen ever to serve in the U.S. Senate and I’m proud to join Senator Young in renaming a Navy ship in honor of him,” said Senator Mike Braun. 

In April, the Senate unanimously passed a resolution introduced by Senators Young and Braun in honor of Senator Lugar.