[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 67 (Friday, May 22, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E969]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       NATIONAL MARITIME DAY 1998

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. LANE EVANS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, May 22, 1998

  Mr. EVANS. Mr. Speaker, on this special day, National Maritime Day, 
it is fitting that we recognize and honor those men and women who have 
served our country by transporting our Nation's cargoes in times of 
peace and prosperity and in times of war and grave danger. The service 
of merchant mariners to our Nation includes the heroic effort put forth 
during World War II by the thousands of young men who volunteered for 
service in the United States Merchant Marine. Many of these merchant 
mariners were recruited specifically to staff ships under the control 
and direction of the United States government to assist the World War 
II effort. These seamen were subject to government control, their 
vessels were controlled by the government under the authority of the 
War Shipping Administration and, like branches of military service, 
they traveled under sealed orders and were subject to the Code of 
Military Justice.
  Some volunteers joined the Merchant Marines because minor physical 
problems, such as poor eyesight, made them ineligible for service in 
the Army, Navy, or Marine Corps. Others were encouraged by military 
recruiters to volunteer for service in the Merchant Marines because the 
recruiter recognized that the special skills offered by the volunteer 
could best be put to use for our country by service in the Merchant 
Marines. Most importantly, all were motivated by their deep love of 
country and personal sense of patriotism to contribute to the war 
effort.
  In order to staff our growing merchant fleet during World War II, the 
U.S. Marine Commission established training camps around the country 
under the direct supervision of the Coast Guard. After completing basic 
training, which included both small arms and cannon proficiency, seamen 
became active members of the U.S. Merchant Marine. These seamen, often 
at great personal risk, helped deliver troops and war supplies needed 
for every Allied invasion site from Guadalcanal to Omaha Beach.
  More than 6,500 merchant mariners who served our country during World 
War II gave the ultimate sacrifice of their lives, including 37 who 
died as prisoners of war, and almost 5,000 World War II Merchant 
Mariners remain officially missing and are presumed dead. In addition, 
733 U.S. Merchant ships were destroyed. Even after the surrender of 
Japan, members of our Merchant Marine fleet were in mortal danger as 
they continued to support the war effort by entering mined harbors to 
transport our troops safely home. After the war ended, they carried 
food and medicine to millions of the world's starving people.
  In spite of the illustrious service of the World War II merchant 
mariners, then-Secretary of the Air Force, Edward Aldridge, 
inexplicably made the decision in 1988 to define the dates for World 
War II service differently for merchant mariners than for those who 
served in the other American forces. The effect of this decision was to 
deny veteran status to those merchant mariners who served between the 
dates of August 15, 1945 and December 31, 1946, the official end of 
World War II. H.R. 1126, the Merchant Mariner Fairness Act, which has 
wide bipartisan support from over one-half of the Members of the House, 
will correct this erroneous administrative decision by making the 
service eligibility period for World War II merchant mariners identical 
to that established for others.
  It is important to remember that during the time period addressed by 
this bill, August 15, 1945 through December 31, 1946, 12 U.S. Flag 
Merchant Vessels were lost or damaged as a result of striking mines, 
and some of the merchant mariners serving on these vessels were killed 
or injured. Fully understanding the tremendous risks they faced, 
merchant mariners, nonetheless, willingly went into mined harbors so 
that they could bring our American troops home to their families and 
friends. I believe these courageous merchant mariners, who were subject 
to the risk and dangers of war between V-J Day and the official end of 
the war, have been wrongfully denied veteran status. They faced the 
very real hazards of war-time hostile actions and should not be denied 
the status of veteran for purposes of laws administered by the 
Department of Veterans Affairs because their sea-going contributions 
began after August 15, 1945. H.R. 1126 will correct this injustice.
  It has been more than a half century since the end of World War II. 
How much longer must these aging merchant mariners, who are forgotten 
patriots of World War II, wait for their service to our Nation to be 
properly and fully honored and acknowledged? H.R. 1126 will finally 
provide appropriate recognition: veteran status for a few thousand 
World War II American merchant mariners. While this status will enable 
them to be eligible for veterans' benefits, it is likely that the only 
benefit most will receive is proper recognition of their contribution 
to the war effort and the right to a veteran's funeral. The merchant 
mariners who would be granted veteran status by this bill are aging. 
They will not qualify for educational benefits. As Medicare 
beneficiaries, most already have longstanding relationship with their 
medical providers and are unlikely to seek VA health care. Nonetheless, 
the merchant mariners of World War II will receive the long-overdue 
thanks from the Nation they served faithfully and courageously.
  I encourage those Members who have not already cosponsored the 
Merchant Mariners Fairness Act to celebrate National Maritime Day by 
joining Members on both sides of the aisle as a cosponsor of this 
important legislation.

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