; Whereas, upon his release and recovery, Senator McCain became the Commanding Officer of a flight training squadron at Naval Air Station Cecil Field, and, during this time, the squadron was awarded its first Meritorious Unit Commendation, and trained the first woman to fly a light attack aircraft; Whereas, after relinquishing his command, Senator McCain continued his service as a naval liaison to the United States Senate, maintaining his trademark passion, highlighted by his relentless fight against reducing the size of aircraft carriers, fearing such changes would jeopardize the Nation’s naval capabilities; Whereas, for his service in the Navy, Senator McCain was awarded the Silver Star, the Legion of Merit with combat V and one Gold Star device, the Bronze Star with combat V and two Gold Star devices, the Distinguished Flying Cross, and the Purple Heart with one Gold Star device during his distinguished military career; Whereas Senator McCain’s dedication to the United States led him to continue his government service, as he was elected to the United States House of Representatives in 1982 and the United States Senate in 1986; Whereas, in a career that spanned more than three decades, Senator McCain strongly supported a free press, praised bipartisan efforts, and fought for the security of the United States; Whereas Senator McCain’s lifelong mission of resisting repressive regimes gave a voice and hope to millions of oppressed people around the world, as evinced by his 47 visits to Iraq and Afghanistan, and over 20 trips to Vietnam where he met his former captors in the Hanoi Hilton; Whereas Senator McCain served as an unofficial ambassador of the United States wherever he traveled, epitomizing American values to the world; Whereas in keeping with Senator McCain’s outlook, the American people must never surrender or hide from difficult tasks, and instead work to ensure that the United States remains a shining city on a hill that provides hope to the oppressed