[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 63 (Wednesday, April 30, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Page S5609]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Ms. STABENOW (for herself and Mr. Levin):
  S. 963. A bill to require the Commandant of the Coast Guard to convey 
the United States Coast Guard Cutter Bramble, upon its decommissioning, 
to the Port Huron Museum of Arts and History, Port Huron, Michigan, for 
use for education and historical display, and for other purposes; to 
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
  Ms. STABENOW. Mr. President, I rise today to speak on behalf of a 
bill I am introducing to turn the historic United States Coast Guard 
Cutter Bramble, into a floating maritime museum in Port Huron, MI, 
after she is decommissioned later this year.
  Once you hear the history of the Bramble, I am sure you will all 
agree that not only should she be preserved, but the Port Huron Museum 
of Arts and History will be able to provide the ideal home.
  The Bramble has been part of many important missions since it was 
first launched on October 23, 1943.
  But--along with her sister ships, Spar and Storis--the Bramble is 
best known for being part of the first mission by United States vessels 
to steam from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean via the Northwest 
Passage. Upon completing this mission, Bramble and her sister ships 
went on to become the first to circumnavigate the North American 
continent--a dream of sailors for more than 400 years.
  The Bramble set out on this historic mission from Miami, Florida, on 
May 24, 1957. Steaming through the Panama Canal to the Pacific Ocean, 
the Bramble then headed to Seattle.
  On July 1, 1957, the Bramble left Seattle and headed toward the 
Atlantic Ocean via the Bering Straights and the Arctic Ocean. Sixty-
four days and 4,500 miles later, the Bramble and her sister ships 
reached the Atlantic and on December 2, 1957, she tied up again in 
Miami--completing the first circumnavigation of the North American 
continent.
  For that reason alone, the Bramble would be worth saving as a museum 
of maritime history.
  But over her 60 year history, the Bramble has seized tons of illegal 
drugs, saved hundreds of lives in search and rescue missions, helped 
train maritime police in 10 Caribbean nations, maintained buoys and 
other aids to navigation, performed icebreaking duties in the Great 
Lakes and been the recipient of numerous awards, service ribbons and 
commendations.
  The Bramble also has a long history with Michigan and Port Huron and 
that is why I believe my State would make an excellent home once this 
historic ship is retired.
  The Bramble first came to Detroit, MI, in 1962, where she performed 
search and rescue, icebreaking, law enforcement and navigation missions 
throughout the Great Lakes.
  Since 1975, the Bramble's homeport has been Port Huron. And that is 
where I think she should stay after she is decommissioned.
  The Coast Guard motto is Semper Paratus--or Always Ready.
  For 60 years the Bramble has been there--always ready to serve our 
country in waters close to home and far away.
  And I believe that as a museum of maritime history, she can continue 
serving us for years to come--still Semper Paratus--still Always Ready.
  I ask unanimous consent that the text of this legislation be printed 
in the Record.
  There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

                                 S. 963

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. CONVEYANCE OF DECOMMISSIONED COAST GUARD CUTTER 
                   BRAMBLE.

       (a) In General.--Upon the scheduled decommissioning of the 
     United States Coast Guard Cutter BRAMBLE (WLB 406), the 
     Commandant of the Coast Guard shall convey all right, title, 
     and interest of the United States in and to that vessel to 
     the Port Huron Museum of Arts and History, a nonprofit 
     corporation organized under the laws of the State of 
     Michigan, located in Port Huron, Michigan, without 
     consideration, if--
       (1) the Museum agrees--
       (A) to use the vessel for purposes of education and 
     historical display;
       (B) not to use the vessel for commercial transportation 
     purposes;
       (C) to make the vessel available to the United States if 
     needed for use by the Commandant in time of war or a national 
     emergency; and
       (D) to hold the United States harmless for any claims 
     arising from exposure to hazardous materials, including 
     asbestos and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), after 
     conveyance of the vessel under this subsection, except for 
     claims arising from the use by the United States under 
     subparagraph (C);
       (2) the Museum has funds available, in the form of cash, 
     liquid assets, or a written loan commitment, in the amount of 
     at least $700,000 that the Museum agrees to commit to operate 
     and maintain the vessel in good working condition; and
       (3) the Museum agrees to any other conditions the 
     Commandant considers appropriate.
       (b) Maintenance of Vessel.--Prior to conveyance of the 
     vessel under this section, the Commandant shall, to the 
     extent practicable, and subject to other Coast Guard mission 
     requirements, maintain the integrity of the vessel and its 
     equipment until the delivery to the Museum.
       (c) Delivery.--If a conveyance of the United States Coast 
     Guard Cutter BRAMBLE is made under this section, the 
     Commandant shall deliver the vessel at the place where the 
     vessel is located, in its present condition, and without cost 
     to the United States.
       (d) Conveyance Not a Distribution in Commerce.--The 
     conveyance of the vessel under this section shall not be 
     considered a distribution in commerce for purposes of section 
     6(e) of the Toxic Substances Control Act (15 U.S.C. 2605(e)).
       (e) Other Excess Equipment.--The Commandant may convey to 
     the Museum any excess equipment or parts from other 
     decommissioned Coast Guard vessels for use to enhance the 
     operability and function of the United States Coast Guard 
     Cutter BRAMBLE as an historical display.
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