[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 72 (Tuesday, May 18, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1006]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E1006]]
                  TRIBUTE TO THE U.S. MERCHANT MARINES

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MICHAEL F. DOYLE

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 18, 1999

  Mr. DOYLE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to give tribute to U.S. Merchant 
Marines and extend my gratitude for their valiant service to our 
country during World War II. As my colleagues should be aware, May 22nd 
is National Maritime Day.
  In years past, I have come before the House to explain in detail how 
the thousands of courageous men and women who served in the Merchant 
Marines transported supplies to our soldiers during war and in the face 
of grave danger. Undeniably, the actions taken and responsibilities 
fulfilled by these men and women who served in the Merchant Marines 
contributed to the outcome of World War II. As the Pittsburgh areas was 
one of the most heavily recruited regions of the country by the 
Merchant Marines, I have come to have an enormous appreciation for and 
ever growing amount of respect for the contributions that merchant 
mariners have made to our nation.
  Indeed, their efforts should not be diminished in any way and should 
be equated with those of other armed service personnel. It is important 
to note that during World War II, Merchant Marines were subject to 
government control and their vessels were controlled by the government 
under the Authority of the War Shipping Administration. And just as 
with other branches of the military. Merchant Marines traveled under 
sealed orders and were subject to the Code of Military Justice. Like 
many Members of Congress, I felt it was completely unacceptable that 
Merchant Marines were discriminated against in terms of benefits and 
lent my strong support to H.R. 1126, the Merchant Marine Fairness Act. 
The bill, H.R. 1126, was ultimately enacted into law as part of H.R. 
4110, the Veterans Programs Enhancement Act.
  While I am pleased that the Merchant Marine Fairness Act has been 
signed into law, I was not pleased that the language of an important 
provision has been altered. Specifically, the Merchant Marine Fairness 
Act included directive language according the recognition of Honorable 
Discharge to merchant mariners whose service included time between 
August 15, 1945 to the end of 1946. The language however, was changed 
to read ``Certificate of Honorable Discharge'' when the original bill 
was included in H.R. 4110, and was enacted as part of Public Law 105-
368.
  As it has been more than half a century since the end of World War II 
and almost 20 years since the struggle for equitable recognition of 
merchant mariners began, I am deeply concerned about the potential for 
the intent of the original language to be misconstrued and thus 
creating further delay in the delivery of earned benefits. I urge both 
Secretary of Defense Cohen and Secretary of Transportation Slater to 
expeditiously and consistently implement the new benefits provisions in 
accordance to the intent of the original bill's language. Approximately 
2,500 mariners and their families are expecting and should receive no 
less.
  I also want to recognize the efforts of one of my constituents, Mark 
Gleeson, for this personal involvement in, and steadfast commitment to 
obtaining appropriate recognition for the efforts of Merchant Marines 
during World War II. Mark cares very deeply about this matter and 
played a major role in creating greater awareness about the inequitable 
treatment of Merchant Marines within the halls of Congress.
  In closing, I want to thank all of my colleagues who were supportive 
of the effort embodied in the Merchant Marines Fairness Act and 
encourage them to monitor its implementation. It is my hope that each 
and every Member of the House will take the time to recognize the 
efforts of our country's World War II Merchant Marines.

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