[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 611 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]

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118th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 611

Expressing support for the designation of March 22, 2024, as ``National 
  Inland Waterways Workers Safety Awareness Day'' and supporting the 
    goals and ideals of ``National Inland Waterways Workers Safety 
                            Awareness Day''.


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                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             March 21, 2024

   Mr. Manchin (for himself and Mrs. Capito) submitted the following 
             resolution; which was considered and agreed to

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                               RESOLUTION


 
Expressing support for the designation of March 22, 2024, as ``National 
  Inland Waterways Workers Safety Awareness Day'' and supporting the 
    goals and ideals of ``National Inland Waterways Workers Safety 
                            Awareness Day''.

Whereas workers in the national inland waterways system play a crucial role, 
        navigating ships, barges, and tugboats through the navigable waters of 
        the United States, loading and unloading barges and transport vessels, 
        and cleaning and caring for vessels and shipyards;
Whereas the United States needs to reduce transportation-vessel and shipyard-
        related incidents, fatalities, and injuries, continue to improve the 
        safe transportation of domestic cargo by towboat, tugboat, and barge, 
        and prevent employee fatalities;
Whereas, in 2022, there were 4 fatalities and 101 injuries amongst towing vessel 
        crew and related employees;
Whereas the safety and well-being of deckhands, engineers, masters and mates, 
        and shoreside workers are of the utmost importance, and it is crucial to 
        equip them with the necessary knowledge and resources to perform their 
        duties effectively;
Whereas towboat, tugboat, and barge transportation are among the safest and most 
        efficient modes of domestic freight transportation in the United States;
Whereas the Coast Guard-American Waterways Operators Safety Partnership 
        represents a unique public-private partnership to improve vessel safety; 
        and
Whereas the establishment and enforcement of safety standards in the towing 
        vessel industry has significantly reduced fatalities and injuries in the 
        operation of towing vessels: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) designates March 22, 2024, as ``National Inland 
        Waterways Workers Safety Awareness Day'';
            (2) encourages relevant Federal, State, and local 
        authorities in addition to related industry and worker groups 
        to observe the day with appropriate programs and activities, 
        with the goal of increasing safety awareness in and around 
        towing-vessel employment;
            (3) recognizes the need for deckhands, engineers, masters 
        and mates, shoreside workers, and other employees to remain 
        safe while on the jobsite;
            (4) applauds and supports the efforts that the Coast Guard, 
        American Waterways Operators, Maritime Trades Department, and 
        other groups have taken to reduce the incidents of workplace 
        injuries and fatalities in and around towing vessels; and
            (5) praises the companies and employers that operate safely 
        and care for the health and safety of their workers.
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