[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 93 (Friday, June 27, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1345]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                             THE JONES ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. JOHN JOSEPH MOAKLEY

                           of massachussetts

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 26, 1997

  Mr. MOAKLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to report to my colleagues on 
the continuing success of House Concurrent Resolution 65, which 
endorses the Jones Act. As many of you know, the Jones Act requires 
that waterborne cargo moving between two points in the United States 
must be transported on American-built, American-owned, American-
flagged, and American-crewed vessels.
  In just 2 months, 178 Members have cosponsored this important 
resolution. Most striking is the bipartisan nature of this support. 
Cosponsors include Democrats and Republicans, liberals and 
conservatives. Support for the Jones Act cuts across philosophical and 
partylines. The one thing these cosponsors have in common is an 
understanding about the important national security, economic, safety 
and environmental benefits of the act.
  The support among the Members of the subcommittees of jurisdiction is 
particularly strong. Two House Subcommittees have jurisdiction: the 
Merchant Marine panel of the National Security Committee and the 
Maritime Transportation Subcommittee of the Transportation and 
Infrastructure Committee. Of the 19 members of these two panels, 17 
have shown their clear commitment to the Jones Act by signing dear 
colleague letters and opposing changes to the Jones Act.
  I am pleased to be the sponsor of House Concurrent Resolution 65 and 
I am delighted, although not particularly surprised, by its 
extraordinary bipartisan support and success.

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