Document RJG3XpwVnyzZkvJ3kXNBGQyZk

110 CRUZ TEXAS. CHAIRMAN JOIN TERMS. SOUTH DAKOTA 11009E F. NICKER, MISSISSPPI DEB FISOIER. NEBRASKA JERRY MORAL. ANSAS DAN SLUR AA. ALASKA MARSHA ELACKBURN, TENNESSEE Tow YCUNG INDIANA TED BUM NORTH CAROLINA ERIC scmarr, MISSOURI JOHN CAPS, UTAH BERNIE MORENO. CABO TIM SHEARS, MONTANA SHELLEY WORE CANTO, WEST VIRGINIA CYNTIM M LIR/MIS, WYCIANG MAMA CANTWELL. WASHINGTON AMY KLOBUCHAR. MINNESOTA BRIAN SCHATZ, HAWAI EDWARD J. MARKEY MAKMEPUSETTS GARY C PETERS. \KAGAN TAMMY BALDMIL W6OONSIN TAMMY DECKWORTH, LUNOTS JACKY ROSIN, NEVADA BEN MY WAIL NEW IEXICC JOIN W. FIXXEMOOPER COLORADO :DIN FETTIPMAAL PENNSYLVANIA ANDY KIM, NEW JERSEY ISA BLUNT R.:OUSTER DELAWARE BRAD GRAPITZ MAJOILATY STATE DIRECTOR LIA HARPER HELMS. DEMOCRATIC STARE PRECTCR linitcd , tatcs sk cnatc COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE, SCIENCE, AND TRANSPORTATION WASHINGTON, DC 20510-6125 WEssiTE: httpslicommerce.senate.gov May 9, 2025 The Honorable Sean Duffy Secretary of Transportation U.S. Department of Transportation 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE Washington, DC 20590 Dear Secretary Duffy: I write to commend your remarks last month at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (Academy) regarding the Christ on the Water painting. Your public acknowledgment of the painting's spiritual and historical significance was a powerful moment of moral clarity and leadership--one that resonated not only with the midshipmen in attendance, but with countless Americans who care deeply about preserving our nation's religious and military heritage. As you know, this 1944 World War II-era memorial has been a fixture at the Academy since 1947, solemnly honoring the sacrifices of American mariners lost at sea. Its sudden concealment in 2023--done hastily in response to a single baseless complaint--did a great disservice to the Academy's heritage and to the memory of those the painting was meant to honor. To this day, no legal rationale has been provided, and the painting is reportedly out of public view in a floodprone basement. In two separate oversight letters to Academy Superintendent Joanna Nunan, I stated that the painting is fully consistent with the Supreme Court's Establishment Clause jurisprudence and longstanding historical practice. I also asked basic questions about the legal review, decisionmaking process, and plans for the Academy to avoid being hostile to religion. Regrettably, she failed to provide any substantive response to either letter. Your statement--"Can we bring Jesus up from the basement?"--was more than rhetorical. I trust it will be seen as an imperative. Thank you for your principled leadership, for defending our nation's religious heritage, and for working to ensure that this government-commissioned memorial is returned to its rightful place. Sincerely0, 0/ Ted Cruz Chairman OST-2025-1200 Page 01228 Sierra Club v. Dept. of Transp. - 3:25-cv-06221 SC_EVERSPLIT0024415