[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 140 (Wednesday, October 2, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Pages S12162-S12163]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      COAST GUARD REAUTHORIZATION

  Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I rise today to commend Senator Stevens for 
his hard work to reauthorize the U.S. Coast Guard [USCG]. This small 
but vital Federal agency has faithfully served our Nation since 1790. 
Considered by many to be a model agency, the USCG has been the guardian 
of safety and security for our Nation's maritime highways and sea links 
to the world. Under the joint leadership of Senator Stevens and 
Representative Bud Shuster, a long-overdue reauthorization of this 
worthy agency has been completed. A difficult task. A real 
accomplishment.
  Because almost all of our imports, exports and domestic freight are 
transported by water, the reauthorization of the USCG is of utmost 
importance. Approximately 90 percent of Americans live within 100 miles 
of the coast or a major waterway. Many Americans enjoy recreation near 
the water and many pursue their livelihoods using affordable products 
efficiently transported by water. Clearly, the Coast Guard protects 
these vital interests.
  The Coast Guard has made great strides toward fostering our 
prosperity and safety. In my home State of Mississippi over the past 2 
years, the USCG has conducted nearly 4,000 search and rescue missions, 
saving over 200 lives and $9 million in property. Let me tell my 
colleagues about a few noteworthy accomplishments made in the State of 
Mississippi.
  Last fall, an overturned propane truck in Kiln, MS, was righted and 
the road was promptly reopened. This was due to the direct and 
coordinated efforts of the Coast Guard and the local volunteer fire 
department.
  Last winter, the Coast Guard coordinated a 1-month cleanup plan in 
response to a slurry oil discharge between the levees and the batture 
in Vicksburg. This required a cooperative effort between the 
authorities in two States, Mississippi and Louisiana, leading to the 
development of contingency plans for interstate and railroad bridges 
should another barge-rail accident occur.
  In 1995, Hurricanes Erin and Opal hit Mississippi's coastal towns. 
The Coast Guard's proactive approach to this situation mitigated 
countless small oil spills caused by sinking pleasure crafts.
  When a chemical release in the Port of Bienville caused a significant 
fish kill, the Coast Guard served as the first response agency, taking 
immediate steps to contain the spill.
  With 2 percent of America's imported oil coming through the port of 
Pascagoula, there is great potential for accident. Thanks to the 
vigilance of the Coast Guard, this lightering operation has been 
effective and environmentally safe. In fact, their recent mapping of 
the environmentally sensitive areas along Mississippi's coast and 
waterways has permitted the Coast Guard to respond to potential 
pollutants in a more effective and focused manner.

  Mr. President, on behalf of the State of Mississippi, I would like to 
personally commend the hard work of the men and women serving the Coast 
Guard at Point Estero and Point Monroe in Gulfport, Patoka in 
Greenville, Greenbrier in Natchez, Kickapoo in Vicksburg and 
Pascagoula, as well as those who work at Station Gulfport, Aids to 
Navigation Team Gulfport, and the National Data Buoy Center at Stennis 
Space Center.
  The Coast Guard may be one of the most productive agencies in the 
Government today. In lives and property alone, the Coast Guard returns 
a value to America equal to nearly four times its total cost. On an 
average day, the Coast Guard seizes illegal shipments of narcotics with 
a street value of over $7 million, interdicts 14 illegal migrants, 
responds to 38 oil or hazardous chemical spills, conducts 180 search 
and rescue cases, saves 12 lives and services 150 aids to navigation. 
The Coast Guard does this every day, all year round, for less than $4 
billion annually. I believe

[[Page S12163]]

that no other government investment can match the unique value of the 
Coast Guard.
  Despite this heavy workload, however, the Coast Guard has 
aggressively sought to streamline its organization and reduce its 
overall budget. In the past 3 years, Adm. Robert E. Kramek, the 
Commandant of the Coast Guard, has reduced the service's work force by 
4,000 positions and lowered it's annual budget by $400 million--all 
without reducing any services to the general public. While many 
agencies have failed to offer meaningful contributions to our efforts 
to balance the Federal budget, the Coast Guard has been a leader in 
fiscal responsibility.
  Mr. President, I again commend Senator Stevens and Representative 
Shuster for their dedication to reauthorizing the USCG. I would also 
like to recognize two staff members whose focused efforts were integral 
to the success of this reauthorization, Tom Melius of Senator Stevens' 
staff and Rebecca Dye of Representative Coble's staff. Their hard work 
has certainly paid off. This legislation will ensure that the Coast 
Guard will continue to do an excellent job of protecting our Nation's 
maritime highways for years to come.

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