DeLauro, Courtney Join Admiral Linda Fagan and U.S. Coast Guard Leadership as Construction on First-Ever Coast Guard Museum Begins

House Appropriations Chair Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) joined U.S. Representative Joe Courtney (CT-02), Admiral Linda L. Fagan, U.S. Coast Guard Commandant, New London Mayor Michael Passero, other elected officials, and representatives from the National Coast Guard Museum Association for the Keel Laying Ceremony of the historic U.S. Coast Guard Museum. After years of working to establish New London as the site of the museum, today's Keel Laying Ceremony marks the official start of construction on the nation's first-ever U.S. Coast Guard Museum.

Each U.S. military branch has a dedicated museum to honor their history and service—except for the Coast Guard. Reps. Courtney and DeLauro have worked alongside the Connecticut Congressional Delegation for years to support construction of an official U.S. Coast Guard Museum, and to establish New London as its rightful home. Under the leadership of Congresswoman DeLauro, Chair of the House Appropriations Committee, this year's FY 2022 federal spending package dedicated $50 million towards construction of the museum in the heart of New London, CT—one of the final pillars needed for construction to officially begin today.

"This museum will preserve and honor the heritage, traditions, and history of the U.S. Coast Guard – and the service of the defenders of the nation and enforcers of the seas," said Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro. "As Chair of the House Appropriations Committee, I strongly believe that just as their service never wavers, our support of the U.S. Coast Guard and all of our armed forces must be just as resolute and unwavering. I am proud that this year's federal spending package included $50 million for the construction of the U.S. Coast Guard Museum. This institution will bring these acts of heroism to life, along with the significance, history, culture, and values of the Service. It gives me great pleasure to mark the beginning of this museum's construction – this is a befitting honor to our heroes for their bravery and devotion to duty."

"The U.S. Coast Guard is our nation's oldest military branch, and they are America's only service branch without a museum dedicated to their legacy. With the resources we secured in the 2022 budget, that's finally changing—construction is now underway on our nation's first ever U.S. Coast Guard museum," said Congressman Courtney. "I've been proud to stand alongside our Coast Guard leaders in support of this museum and its rightful placement in New London, and to press the effort forward with necessary support in Congress, but this could not have happened without the steady guidance of Congresswoman DeLauro as Chair of the House Appropriations Committee. With her leadership, and with the strong support by Senator Murphy, a $50 million federal investment is what finally pushed this over the starting line. Congratulations to Admiral Fagan, and to all the men and women of the U.S. Coast Guard, past and present, for reaching this milestone."

The FY 2022 federal spending package included long-sought federal support to kickstart construction of the U.S. Coast Guard Museum. The 2022 federal budget included $50 million in appropriations for construction of the museum, bringing federal investment to a total of $70 million. The bill also adopted Rep. Courtney's request for $5 million in federal funds to continue supporting development of exhibits and preservation of artifacts at the future museum in New London.

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