[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 10 (Thursday, January 30, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S843]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                MARITIME SECURITY PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION

  Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I rise today to draw my colleague's 
attention to the outstanding efforts and hard work of the men and women 
of the U.S. Maritime Administration. I want to offer my own heartfelt 
thanks to those individuals for their hard work and dedication in 
swiftly implementing the Maritime Security Act.
  The Maritime Security Act, which was approved by the Senate on 
September 24, and signed into law by the President on October 8 last 
year. It will ensure the continued viability of the U.S.-flag merchant 
marine. It will guarantee that there will be an adequate number of 
private-sector, U.S.-flag vessels on hand for the Department of Defense 
in times of war or national emergency. Our Nation will continue to 
support a base of maritime employment to provide trained, loyal U.S.-
citizen merchant mariners to crew the Department of Defense's Ready 
Reserve fleet of sealift vessels.
  Quite simply, without this legislation the United States might have 
lost its merchant marine. Some of our Nation's most honored former 
military leaders let us know last year, in no uncertain terms, just how 
costly that would be. Our Armed Forces are counting on the U.S.-flag 
merchant marine to bring them the supplies they need to sustain their 
operations on hostile shores. If history has taught us one lesson, Mr. 
President, we should hold a deep appreciation for the importance of the 
U.S.-flag merchant marine to our Nation's security. That is why the 
outstanding efforts of the Maritime Administration deserves 
recognition.
  In the days following enactment of the Maritime Security Act, the 
staff of the Maritime Administration worked tirelessly to iron out the 
contracts between the Government and the individual U.S.-flag vessel 
operators. This is the backbone of the Maritime Security Program.
  At the same time, MARAD staff coordinated their efforts with the 
Department of Defense. This ensured that only the most modern and most 
militarily useful U.S.-flag vessels are chosen for the Maritime 
Security Program. These efforts will enhance our national defense 
capabilities.
  The first contracts were signed last month, just before the holidays. 
And, I am pleased to report to my colleagues that the final contracts 
were just recently signed. In just 4 months, the complete 47-ship 
Maritime Security Fleet has become a reality. We have MARAD to thank 
for taking our vision and translating it into a viable program.
  I want to recognize the Administrator of MARAD, Vice Adm. Albert J. 
Herberger. His firm leadership at the helm of his agency has been 
exemplary. Vice Admiral Herberger is widely respected in the maritime 
industry, and his abilities as a manager, a negotiator and an 
administrator, coupled with his extensive military experience, played a 
major role in implementing this legislation.
  The implementation of the Maritime Security Program also required the 
efforts of many MARAD employees. I want to take a moment to recognize 
several workers by name: Debra Aheron, Ray Barberesi, Murray Bloom, 
Joan Bondareff, Cher Brooks, Thomas Bryan, Jim Caponiti, Veronica 
Carver, Sharon Cassidy, Rhonda Davis, William Ebersold, John 
Graykowski, Steven Jackson, William Kurfehs, John Lesnick, Richard 
McDonnell, Jeffrey McMahon, Robert Patton, Carol Powell, John Swank, 
Kenneth Willis, and Joan Yim.
  To conclude, Mr. President, I would like to add that the Maritime 
Administration will continue to administer the Maritime Security 
Program throughout the 10-year life of the Maritime Security Act. 
Although the work from the good folks at MARAD is just the beginning, 
we should honor their efforts. They have done so much to ensure that 
the American flag will still fly in the world's sea lanes. American 
merchant mariners will be on the decks of those ships. And, our Armed 
Forces will have the necessary strategic sealift capability to project 
America's presence overseas.
  Thank you, MARAD.

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