{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://www.manchin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/manchin-to-attend-woody-williams-ship-christening-", "MANCHIN TO ATTEND WOODY WILLIAMS SHIP CHRISTENING", "2017-10-20", "2017", "2017-10", "Democrat", "House", "WV", "Joe Manchin", "M001183", "www.manchin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "October 20, 2017\n\t\t\t MANCHIN TO ATTEND WOODY WILLIAMS SHIP CHRISTENING  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWashington, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) announced today he will attend the ship christening of USNS Hershel \u201cWoody\u201d Williams (T-ESB4) in San Diego, California with Medal of Honor recipient and renowned West Virginian, Hershel \u201cWoody\u201d Williams. This christening comes just 2 years after the announcement the Navy would name a ship after Woody.\r\n\u201cI am so honored that my friend Woody invited me to the christening of his ship \u2013 the USNS Hershel \u201cWoody\u201d Williams,\u201d Senator Manchin said. \u201cMany years ago Woody\u2019s fellow Marines and friends started this effort and I was honored to be called on to help in any way I could. Ron Wroblewski and Woody\u2019s friends and family asked me to send a letter to Secretary Mabus recommending a Navy ship be named after Woody.\u00a0After sending the letter and working with Secretary Mabus, I was thrilled when the Navy announced they would name a ship after Woody a few months later. This ship christening is a lifelong tribute to Woody\u2019s brave actions and his dedication to public service and I was honored to play a part in helping a fellow Marion County boy receive the recognition he deserves.\u201d\r\nThe decision to name the USNS Hershel Woody Williams after Woody came after years of advocacy from West Virginia Veterans.\u00a0Senator Manchin sent a letter to U.S. Navy Secretary Ray Mabus recommending that a Navy ship be named after Woody Williams for his outstanding sacrifice and dedication to the nation. To read Senator Manchin\u2019s letter to U.S. Navy Secretary Mabus, click here.\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://www.manchin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/manchin-to-attend-woody-williams-ship-christening-"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.3698558323085308, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}