Community Budget Issue Requests - Tracking Id #240 USS Hoga
Requester:	Richard Winer		Organization:		USS Hoga Association
Project Title:	USS Hoga		Date Submitted:		01/22/2000 12:21:20 PM
District Member:	Howard Forman		Service Area:		Statewide
Counties Affected:	{Statewide}
Recipient:	USS Hoga Association		Contact:		Richard Winer
	712 SW 4th Place		Contact Phone:		(954) 467-0007
	Ft Lauderdale 33312
Project Description:
The USS Hoga is the sole surviving ship that was engaged in the Battle of Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. This World War II vessel received serveral commendations due to the heroic actions of her crew during that battle. The USS Hoga is a Navy tug boat measuring 100' x 25' x 10'. She is presently stored in San Francisco. The USS Hoga Association wants to bring her to the Fort Lauderdale area, restore her and display her in a public setting. The Navy is seeking a permanent home for the USS Hoga. The funding requested will be used for the aquisition and restoration of the USS Hoga. The Association will apply for an Historical Preservation grant upon the granting of the USS Hoga to Florida.
Services Provided/Benefit to State:
Nationally, Florida is home to the nation's second largest World War II veteran population; 65% of which live in the South Florida area. In another 15 or 20 years, these veterans will have died. The USS Hoga will be the only "survivor" of this conflict which will be able to give the history of the beginning of the United States' participation in World War II. Florida, which has the longest shoreline of any state, is the only oceanside or Gulf state that does not have a World War II commemorative war ship. Bringing the USS Hoga to Fort Lauderdale will rectify that situation. The State benefits as the City of Ft Lauderdale has pledged 100 feet of dock space should the USS Hoga come to South Florida, an in-kind contribution worth $40,000/year. South Florida has one of the nation's largest boating populations. There is a continuing need for workers in the State's various marine industries. Contact is being made with the Broward County School Board so that nautical training classes can be given to students who had little success in other vocational education programs. The USS Hoga can also serve as a seamanship training vessel for both the US Navy League's Sea Cadet Program and local high school Navy ROTC students. Private funds can also be obtained once the USS Hoga is awarded to the area by the US Navy. The Association has begun to solicit pledges. This will bring private resources of as much as $600,000 to this project, as well as the funds requested from the State. This appropriation is needed to show the US Navy that Florida is serious in its application for the permanent placement of the USS Hoga in Florida's waters. The USS Hoga will bring to Florida more than a patriotic shrine, more than a captivator of tourists from the neighboring states, and more than another site on the National Register of Historic Places. The USS Hoga will bring a truly acclaimed and registered National Monument bestowed on it by the National Park Service.
Measurable Outcome Anticipated:
Visitors to and residents of Florida will have a living memorial of the World War II era of our country's history. The USS Hoga's placement in South Florida should provide a better knowledge and understanding of this era to the students of the State.
Amount requested from the State for this project this year:				$500,000
Total cost of the project:		$568,827

Request has been made to fund:			Operations and Construction
Is there Local Government or Private match for this request?					Yes
				In-Kind Amount:	$40,000
Was this project previously funded by the State?					No
Is future-year funding likely to be requested?					No
Was this project included in an Agency's Budget Request?					No
Was this project included in the Governor's Recommended Budget?					No
Is there a documented need for this project?					No
Was this project request heard before a publicly noticed meeting of a body of elected officials (municipal, county, or state)?					Yes
	Hearing Body:	City of Ft Lauderdale Commission
	Meeting Date:	09/21/1999