[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 74 (Thursday, May 20, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5732-S5733]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         NATIONAL MARITIME DAY

  Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I would like to take a moment to recognize 
that today is National Maritime Day, when the Nation pays tribute to 
the American Merchant Mariners who have given their lives in the 
service of their country. Throughout the history of the United States, 
our U.S.-flag Merchant Marine has always been there, providing the 
support that time and again has proven to be essential to victory. It 
is with the most profound gratitude for the service and sacrifice of 
America's Merchant Marine veterans that we reflect upon the importance 
of our U.S.-flag fleet on this day.
  On April 29, 1999, I was privileged to be given a very special 
momento by a group of Merchant Marine Veterans of World War II. It was 
a patch, of the kind worn by Merchant Mariners during World War II, and 
it was designed in 1944 by Walt Disney Studios. Walt Disney's people 
created a mascot for the Merchant Marine, called ``Battlin' Pete,'' and 
the patch shows Pete knocking out an Axis torpedo.
  The presentation was made to express the veterans' gratitude for a 
very important piece of legislation that the Senate passed last year. 
Last year's veterans' benefits bill ensures that those American 
Merchant Marine veterans who served our country in World War II between 
August 16, 1945--the day that hostilities were officially declared at 
an end by President Truman--and December 31, 1946--the cut-off day for 
World War II service for all other service branches--receive honorable 
discharges for their service and are eligible for veterans' burial and 
cemetery benefits. This is the least we can do for these deserving 
veterans. I was privileged to introduce legislation during the 105th 
Congress seeking that change, and it was later incorporated into the 
veterans' benefits bill.
  The overwhelming majority of World War II Merchant Mariners were 
previously awarded veterans status. Now, those who served in harm's way 
through the war's final days are also being recognized. Although Japan 
officially surrendered in August of 1945, harbors in Japan, Germany, 
Italy, France--indeed, across the world--still were mined. Twenty-two 
U.S.-government-owned vessels, carrying military cargoes, were damaged 
or sunk by mines after V-J Day. At least four U.S. Merchant Mariners 
were killed and 28 injured aboard these vessels. Even as Americans at 
home were celebrating victory, American Merchant Mariners carried on as 
they have always done--bravely serving their country with pride and 
professionalism.
  I am proud that, at that April ceremony, the first honorable 
discharges for this previously forgotten group went to two Merchant 
Marine veterans from my home state of Mississippi: Mr. Robert Hoomes 
and Mr. Louis Breaux. Also, I was pleased that Mr. Joseph Katusa, 
National Chairman, Merchant Marine Fairness Committee, received

[[Page S5733]]

his honorable discharge. The ceremony was attended by my good friend 
and colleague, Congressman Bob Stump, Chairman, House Veterans' Affairs 
Committee; Mr. Rudy de Leon, Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel 
and Readiness; Admiral Jim Loy, Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard; and Mr. 
George Searle, National President, American Merchant Marine Veterans. I 
would like to thank them for participating in the ceremony and 
acknowledging the service of Mr. Breaux, Mr. Hoomes, and Mr. Katusa, 
and the role that these, and all, Merchant Marine veterans played in 
preserving freedom.
  As we mark National Maritime Day, it is important to note that our 
country's Merchant Mariners continue to stand ready to serve. In fact, 
the leaders of the major maritime labor unions--the Marine Engineers' 
Beneficial Association; the International Organization of Masters, 
Mates and Pilots; the National Maritime Union of America; the American 
Maritime Officers; and the Seafarers International Union of North 
America--recently expressed their readiness to support America's 
military effort in the Balkans. Recent reports that Greek seamen are 
refusing to support that effort is a reminder of why the United States 
requires its own highly capable Merchant Marine.
  Mr. President, I will treasure that patch of ``Battlin' Pete'' from 
the Merchant Marine Veterans of World War II. It will always remind me 
of the importance of National Maritime Day, and of the sacrifices that 
America's Merchant Mariner veterans have made in the service of their 
country. For those who braved the Murmansk run; for those who served 
through the conflicts in Korea, Vietnam, and the Persian Gulf; for 
those who today stand ready to sail into harm's way with our Armed 
Forces; we salute you on this day.

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