Debbie Dingell
10/16/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/16/2026 07:56
Dingell, Colleagues Introduce Legislation Honoring Doris Miller and Prohibiting Renaming of Naval Vessels After Sitting Presidents
U.S. Representatives Debbie Dingell (D-MI-06), Kweisi Mfume (D-MD-07), and Wesley Bell (D-MO-01) introduced the U.S.S. Doris Miller Act and the Department of Defense Renaming Integrity and Ethics (DORIE) Act. These two pieces of legislation would honor the legacy of Mess Attendant Third Class Doris "Dorie" Miller and ensure that the Navy aircraft carrier currently under construction retains his name.
The U.S.S. Doris Miller Act would express the sense of Congress regarding the naming of a naval aircraft carrier in Miller's honor. Miller famously manned an anti-aircraft gun during the attack on Pearl Harbor in World War II, despite having never been trained to operate the weapon, and helped carry wounded soldiers to safety even after being ordered to abandon ship. He was the first Black service member to receive the Navy Cross, the Navy's second-highest award for valor.
The Department of Defense Renaming Integrity and Ethics (DORIE) Act would prohibit the naming of Department of Defense assets, including military bases, ships, and other military installations, after sitting presidents. The DORIE Act would amend Title 10 of the United States Code, which is the section of federal law that outlines the legal framework, roles, missions, and organization of the U.S. Armed Forces and the Department of Defense. This comes after an unprecedented proposal by Navy leadership to rename the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Doris Miller in honor of President Donald Trump.
"Doris Miller represented courage, sacrifice, and the essential role African Americans have played in defending this country," said Congresswoman Dingell. "Naming this carrier after him is more than honoring one extraordinary sailor-it recognizes that African Americans are an essential part of American history. No sitting president has ever been able to, nor should they be able to, name a vessel after themselves. I am proud to support the U.S.S. Doris Miller Act to ensure American heroes are honored for their sacrifice."
"Black history is American history, and you cannot tell the story of the Second World War without the story of Doris (Dorie) Miller," said Congressman Kweisi Mfume."Doris Miller's life was one of extraordinary bravery and patriotism, and I will continue to fight against any and all efforts to minimize or denigrate that history. The aircraft carrier that was scheduled to be named in his honor represents a fitting tribute to the estimable legacy of Dorie Miller. It is the very least that we owe to this great American hero who like so many before him, laid down his life for his country. Taking his name off that ship to instead name it for President Trump while he is still in office would be a disgrace. That has never been the practice of our government, nor should it be now. No sitting President, of any party, should have a ship, a base, or any other military asset named after them while in office. That is just one of the many reasons why I am proud and honored to support the DORIE Act. It's the right thing to do."
"Doris Miller put himself in harm's way to save his fellow sailors, and he did it at a time when segregation limited what Black servicemembers were allowed to do. His courage deserves to be celebrated, not forgotten," said Congressman Bell."As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, I will continue working to ensure our sailors are honored for their service, and that their legacy is never erased. Our warships should carry the names of those who gave something to this country, and few gave more than Dorie Miller. That's why I'm proud to champion these bills."
Bill text for the DORIE Act can be found HERE.
Bill text for the U.S.S. Doris Miller Act can be found HERE.
The U.S.S. Doris Miller Act would express the sense of Congress regarding the naming of a naval aircraft carrier in Miller's honor. Miller famously manned an anti-aircraft gun during the attack on Pearl Harbor in World War II, despite having never been trained to operate the weapon, and helped carry wounded soldiers to safety even after being ordered to abandon ship. He was the first Black service member to receive the Navy Cross, the Navy's second-highest award for valor.
The Department of Defense Renaming Integrity and Ethics (DORIE) Act would prohibit the naming of Department of Defense assets, including military bases, ships, and other military installations, after sitting presidents. The DORIE Act would amend Title 10 of the United States Code, which is the section of federal law that outlines the legal framework, roles, missions, and organization of the U.S. Armed Forces and the Department of Defense. This comes after an unprecedented proposal by Navy leadership to rename the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Doris Miller in honor of President Donald Trump.
"Doris Miller represented courage, sacrifice, and the essential role African Americans have played in defending this country," said Congresswoman Dingell. "Naming this carrier after him is more than honoring one extraordinary sailor-it recognizes that African Americans are an essential part of American history. No sitting president has ever been able to, nor should they be able to, name a vessel after themselves. I am proud to support the U.S.S. Doris Miller Act to ensure American heroes are honored for their sacrifice."
"Black history is American history, and you cannot tell the story of the Second World War without the story of Doris (Dorie) Miller," said Congressman Kweisi Mfume."Doris Miller's life was one of extraordinary bravery and patriotism, and I will continue to fight against any and all efforts to minimize or denigrate that history. The aircraft carrier that was scheduled to be named in his honor represents a fitting tribute to the estimable legacy of Dorie Miller. It is the very least that we owe to this great American hero who like so many before him, laid down his life for his country. Taking his name off that ship to instead name it for President Trump while he is still in office would be a disgrace. That has never been the practice of our government, nor should it be now. No sitting President, of any party, should have a ship, a base, or any other military asset named after them while in office. That is just one of the many reasons why I am proud and honored to support the DORIE Act. It's the right thing to do."
"Doris Miller put himself in harm's way to save his fellow sailors, and he did it at a time when segregation limited what Black servicemembers were allowed to do. His courage deserves to be celebrated, not forgotten," said Congressman Bell."As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, I will continue working to ensure our sailors are honored for their service, and that their legacy is never erased. Our warships should carry the names of those who gave something to this country, and few gave more than Dorie Miller. That's why I'm proud to champion these bills."
Bill text for the DORIE Act can be found HERE.
Bill text for the U.S.S. Doris Miller Act can be found HERE.
Debbie Dingell published this content on October 16, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on October 16, 2026 at 13:56 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]