[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 101 (Tuesday, June 20, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1294]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                  TRIBUTE TO THE MERCHANT MARINE FLEET

                                 ______


                            HON. LINDA SMITH

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 20, 1995
  Mrs. SMITH of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize 
those men and women who served our Nation as members of the merchant 
marine fleet in times of peace and national crisis. Recently, I heard 
from a constituent, Lawrence Jacobson of Olympia, WA, who reminded me 
of the great contributions that our merchant marines have given to the 
United States.
  In World War II, it was the merchant marine who was most likely to 
give his life to transport much needed cargo to our embattled allies, 
risking attack by Nazi U-boats and other hazards. Without their 
diligent, selfless and brave determination, England would have been 
almost defenseless.
  Every armed conflict has demanded sea transport that only our 
merchant marines could provide. Even as recently as the Gulf war, U.S. 
merchant marines served along-side their brothers and sisters in the 
Army, Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps with equal valor and at great 
personal risk. I am proud to serve a District that touts such men and 
women as the merchant marine.
  There are very few men and women who can say that they have served 
their country in both peace and war as those brave souls who served on 
the decks of our merchant marine fleet. Mr. Speaker, the merchant 
marines have my admiration and I am sure that I speak for every 
American when I say, thank you.


                          ____________________