November 23, 2015 | ssusc.org

(Illustration by young supporter, Thomas, from Labelle, Florida)
SS 
UNITED STATES RECEIVES MAJOR DONATIONS, CONSERVANCY BOARD REJECTS SCRAP BIDS
RALLYING AROUND OUR FLAGSHIP:  

SS UNITED STATES RECEIVES MAJOR DONATIONS, CONSERVANCY BOARD REJECTS SCRAP BIDS

Organization Working to Save and Repurpose America's Flagship Announces More than $600,000 Raised in Seven Weeks

Critical Funds Give Ship More Time Afloat as Redevelopment Negotiations Continue

WASHINGTON DC... November 23, 2015 - In early October, the SS United States Conservancy was only weeks away from being forced to sell America's Flagship to a recycler. However, thanks to the generosity of supporters from around the world to the #SaveTheUnitedStates campaign,we are pleased to announce that we have raised sufficient funds to keep the ship afloat well into next year.  The Conservancy had announced last month that it had retained a broker to explore the ship's sale to a U.S.-based recycler because of the financial burdens imposed by the 1,000-foot-long liner's monthly expenses.The Conservancy acquired the SS United States in 2011 and has been working to convert the historic vessel into a mixed-use museum and development complex.

Thanks to several major donations, as well as additional contributions from more than 800 supporters, the Conservancy's Board of Directors voted late Monday not to accept any of the three bids submitted by the recyclers. The Conservancy has now raised well over $600,000 since it issued last month's SOS, including two $100,000 gifts and a $250,000 donation. The Conservancy's board was also encouraged by recent progress on the redevelopment front.

"People from the world over have sent a loud and clear message that the SS United States must not be destroyed," stated Susan Gibbs, the Conservancy's Executive Director. "From a 6th grader named Thomas in Florida who sent in a $5 bill along with a wonderful drawing of the ship in red, white, and blue magic marker, to our three extraordinary leadership donors, the outpouring of support has been incredibly encouraging.The SS United States has been given a temporary lifeline, and we are now powerfully positioned to advance our shared goal of saving America's Flagship for future generations."

As a result of the campaign, which was covered in hundreds of media outlets in dozens of countries, the Conservancy's ongoing redevelopment negotiations have also gained new momentum.  Prior to October's SOS campaign launch, the Conservancy had already identified two potential locations that could accommodate the vessel, and new investor interest in recent weeks has introduced new possibilities and programming concepts for the historic liner. "Several qualified partners have recently made site visits with their engineers, architects and executives," said Gibbs."The possibilities for the SS United States' revitalization are truly exciting."

The $250,000 donation was made by a West Coast supporter, who expressed his desire to remain anonymous. In a statement to the Conservancy's Board he said: "Letting the SS United States go to the breakers would be like letting the Statue of Liberty be melted down and turned into pennies. Unthinkable.Imagine a future in which this incredible, one-of-a-kind symbol of American know-how has been preserved, ready to be experienced by visitors of all ages."

Former SS United States deck officer Richard O'Leary also stepped up and contributed $100,000 to the effort.  "I believe strongly that the Conservancy's effort must succeed," stated O'Leary.  "This ship represents a grand example of what Americans can accomplish. To illuminate her red, white and blue stacks once again would serve as a gleaming and powerful symbol and would showcase the greatness of this country.  I invite others to join me in supporting this important cause."

Cruise industry executive Jim Pollin, whose generous contributions and challenge grant in 2014 helped keep the ship afloat and saved one of its propellers, also contributed $100,000.  "The SS United States has again inspired people around the world to action," Pollin said.  "What message would it send to the world if we allowed one of our soaring national symbols to be destroyed?  We can't let that happen. We must save our Flagship."

With the ship's immediate future secured, the Conservancy will continue its ongoing negotiations with existing and new developers who are actively engaged in exploring options for the ship's adaptive reuse."This immediate lifeline gives us crucial time to finalize a redevelopment agreement that will secure a long-term sustainable solution for the ship," said Gibbs.  "We are more confident now than we have ever been that we will finally achieve our goal and bring new life to this great symbol of American history, design, and innovation."

Read the New York Times coverage of this breaking news! 
Supporter Spotlight
Thomas, an 11-year-old from from Labelle, Florida shared his (above) illustration of the SS United States, sailing proudly by the Statue of Liberty, along with a generous $5 donation. Another young supporterZachary, a 10 year-old from Austin,Texas, reached out to the Conservancy to share his ideas for the SS United StatesfutureThomas and Zachary joined over 800 supporters in recent weeks who have helped us keep America's Flagship safely afloat.   


Conservancy's Legal Counsel Help Keep America's Flagship Afloat
The Conservancy would like to recognize the extraordinary support it has received from its pro bono legal counsel, Frank Nolan from Vedder Price,and its environmental counsel, Chris Bell from Greenberg TraurigFrank and Chris both represented the Conservancy in its successful acquisition of the SS United States in 2011 and they have provided continued support in ongoing redevelopment negotiations.

Frank Nolan is a Shareholder at Vedder Price and a member of the firm's Global Transportation Finance Team. He has extensive experience in the financing of a wide variety of transportation assets and projects and assists clients withdiverse transactions for vessels under U.S. and foreign flags. He has authored articles on a variety of subjects, taught admiralty law for many years and lectures frequently on transportation finance and related topics. Frank was selected by his peers from 2010 to 2016 for inclusion in "The Best Lawyers in America". Most importantly, Frank traveled on the SS United States in 1968 when he was a University of Notre Dame student en route to Austria's University of Innsbruck.

Chris Bell's environmental practice at Greenberg Traurig focuses on administrative, criminal, and civil litigation and compliance counseling under all of the major environmental statutes addressing air, chemicals, remediation, water and waste. Chris advises his clients on product regulation spanning chemicals, energy efficiency standards and leading-edge issues such as nanotechnology, as well as climate change, value chain management and sustainable development. With Chris' guidance, we will ensure that the revitalized SS United States advances environmental goals and standards.

The SS United States Conservancy is deeply grateful for the continued expert counsel provided by both of these world-class lawyers!
Chris Bell of
 Greenberg Traurig
Frank Nolan of  
Vedder Price
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SS United States Conservancy

P.O. Box 32115

Washington, DC 20007

(888) 488-7787