FISHER (T-AKR 301), along with the other Bob Hope Class Strategic Sealift ships Avondale is building, will support the nation's ability to deploy military equipment and supplies quickly to U.S. troops around the world. The first ship in the program, T-AKE 300, was christened BOB HOPE in March 1997. The 950-foot-long medium-speed, roll-on/roll-off sealift ships are some of the largest ships in the Navy fleet. Longer than three football fields, FISHER has a beam of 106 feet and displaces 62,069 long tons. With a draft of 34.5 feet, it has 65,160-shaft horsepower, and will cruise at speeds exceeding 24 knots. Scheduled for delivery in 1998, the whip will have a crew of 29 and accommodations for 95. In 1983 Zachary Fisher, a prominent New York City builder and real estate owner, and his wife Elizabeth, a former USO entertainer during World War II, founded the Zachary and Elizabeth M. Fisher Armed Services Foundation. Fisher Houses, Which totaled 24 in 1996, exist to provide free housing for military families in times of crisis. More than $15 million have been spent on constructing these houses since 1990, and two more are being built or planned. The Fishers were also instrumental in transforming the historic aircraft carrier USS INTREPID into a museum "so that future generations could appreciate the sacrifices made by a few to guarantee the liberties and freedoms of many..." The Intrepid Sea *Air* Space Museum opened in 1982. Several million dollars more have been given by the Fishers to families of military personnel killed in the line of duty; to facilities for disabled children and child-care centers; to military doctors for medical research; and to scholarship programs for military service members and their families. When presented with the Presidential Citizens Medal in April 1995, President Clinton said of Zachary Fisher, "You are legendary sir...for your generosity to families of those who gave their lives to defend democracy and maintain this country's security. Your compassion and dedication are shining examples of patriotism for every American." When Secretary of the Navy John Dalton made the announcement that this new ship would be named FISHER, he said, "There are few people who have done more for our Sailors and Marines in times of great personal need than Zachary and Elizabeth Fisher. There is no way to repay the Fishers for their decades of support, but this gesture is the Navy's way of saying thank you very much." Among the distinguished guests attending the FISHER christening was the principal speaker, U. S. Representative C. W. "Bill" Young, Tenth Congressional District, State of Florida. Also delivering remarks at the even were: the Honorable Robert L. Livingston, U. S. Representative, First Congressional District, Louisiana; Mr. Zachary Fisher; Admiral Jay L. Johnson, United States Navy, Chief of Naval Operations; Vice Admiral James B. Perkins, III, United States Navy, Commander, Military Sealift Command; Major General Charles C. Cannon, Jr., United States Army, Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics; and Rear Admiral David P. Sargent, Jr., United States Navy, Program Executive Officer for Carriers, Littoral Warfare and Auxiliary Ships, Naval Sea Systems Command. The Honorable William J. Jefferson, U. S. Representative, Second Congressional District, Louisiana also attended the christening ceremony. Mr. Albert L. Bossier, Jr., Chairman, President and CEO, Avondale Industries, Inc., welcomed the distinguished guests to the christening. Captain Roger W. Pace, Chaplain Corps, U. S. Navy, delivered the Invocation. Mrs. Elizabeth Fisher served as the Matron of Honor at the christening. Interestingly, Dr. Kenowsky-Irving served as the Maid of Honor for Mrs. Fisher when she was the sponsor for the Avondale-built minehunter KINGFISHER (MHC 56) in June 1994. Miss Elvia Ann Mata, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Manuel Mata, was the christening Flower Girl. Mrs. Mata works in the Information Resources Department at Avondale. Traditionally, the flower girls at Avondale christenings are the daughters of Avondale employees. Also attending the christening were family members and friends of the Fishers. Colors were presented by an all-services Color Guard for New Orleans, and the side boys were provided by the Navy Supervisor of Shipbuilding New Orleans. Music for the occasion was performed by the Navy Band New Orleans. The Navy's Strategic Sealift ships can carry up to 1,000 Army vehicles, including tanks. They are designed and constructed with more than 380,000 square feet of cargo capacity to provide prepositioning and surge sealift capacity to contingency areas worldwide. The ships are built utilizing Avondale's modular construction technology, with each ship made up of more than 450 modules, or units. Each module ranges in weight from eight tons to more than 200 tons. The Sealift contract provides for the construction of up to seven Sealift ships. Five ships are currently under construction. One option each for the remaining two ships with be awarded in 1998 and 1999. When these remaining options are ultimately exercised, it will bring the Avondale Sealift program to a total of seven ships, with peak production expected to ensure work for approximately 3,000 employees into the next century. Avondale Industries, Inc., headquartered in metro New Orleans, is one of the nation's leading shipbuilders and marine fabricators, designing, building and overhauling both military and commercial ships. It also builds boats and barges, and a wide range of industrial facilities and components for land-based plants.