[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 135 (Friday, August 11, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Page S12423]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                         MARITIME SECURITY ACT

 Ms. MIKULSKI. Mr. President, I rise as an original cosponsor 
and strong supporter of the Maritime Security Act of 1995. Mr. 
President, I support this legislation because I believe we need a 
strong U.S. merchant fleet for our military security and our economic 
competitiveness.
  This legislation creates a Maritime Security Program to retain an 
active, privately owned U.S.-flag and U.S.-crewed vessel presence in 
our Nation's foreign commerce and military security.
  In times of national emergency, there is no substitute for a strong 
U.S. merchant fleet. A number of times during the gulf war, foreign-
flag ships refused to sail into the war zone. That never happened with 
a U.S.-flag ship. Our civilian merchant mariners have always been there 
for us in a national crisis. They have been patriots--reliable, 
consistent, and faithful. Without Americans manning the supply ships, 
we cannot guarantee that the U.S. military will be able to do its job.
  Without some form of Government action, the United States will be 
forced to be almost totally reliant on foreign-flag vessels for 
international transportation and military sealift. Some say it is OK to 
rely on the good will of foreigners. But if we put our military 
materials under a foreign flag, then they would have command over the 
supplies necessary to back our troops.
  We also need a U.S.-flag merchant marine to preserve our historic 
presence as a global economic power moving goods on the high seas. Most 
of all, we need American men and women to run those ships. This 
legislation is the most cost-effective way of guaranteeing that the 
merchant marine is there when we need it.
  It is no secret that threats to national security are increasingly 
waged in the economic sphere. We are constantly hearing of predatory 
practices, dumping, and poaching. Without a U.S. presence on the high 
seas, who is to say that U.S. goods would not be victimized by foreign 
shipping companies loyal to the commercial interests in their own 
countries. Higher rates? Slower delivery? I think it is possible.
  Finally, I believe in public sector-private sector cooperation to 
encourage Government savings. This program gives a lot of bang for a 
buck. It provides a service to the Department of Defense for less than 
if they did it in house. It also guarantees a loyalty that would not be 
there if they went foreign.
  Mr. President, this legislation is smart, it is strategic, and it 
makes sense. I wholeheartedly endorse this bill and I stand by our 
merchant mariners who never gave up the ship.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The majority leader.
  Mr. DOLE. Mr. President, are we in morning business?
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. We are.

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