[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 71 (Tuesday, May 13, 2003)]
[House]
[Pages H3981-H3983]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
CONVEYANCE OF DECOMMISSIONED COAST GUARD CUTTER
Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 517) to direct the Commandant of the Coast Guard to convey
the Coast Guard Cutter Bramble, upon its scheduled decommissioning, to
the Port Huron Museum of Arts and History located in Port Huron,
Michigan, for use for education and historical display, as amended.
The Clerk read as follows:
H.R. 517
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 CUTTERS.
(a) In General.--The Commandant of the Coast Guard shall
convey all right, title, and interest of the United States in
and to a vessel described in subsection (b) to the person
designated in subsection (b) with respect to the vessel (in
this section referred to as the ``recipient''), without
consideration, if the person complies with the conditions
under subsection (c).
(b) Vessels Described.--The vessels referred to in
subsection (a) are the following:
(1) The Coast Guard Cutter BRAMBLE, to be conveyed to the
Port Huron Museum of Arts and History (a nonprofit
corporation under the laws of the State of Michigan), located
in Port Huron, Michigan.
(2) The Coast Guard Cutter PLANETREE, to be conveyed to
Jewish Life (a nonprofit corporation under the laws of the
State of California), located in Sherman Oaks, California.
(c) Conditions.--As a condition of any conveyance of a
vessel under subsection (a), the Commandant shall require the
recipient to--
(1) agree--
(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
Government if needed for use by the Commandant in time of war
or a national emergency; and
(D) to hold the Government harmless for any claims arising
from exposure to hazardous materials, including asbestos and
polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), after conveyance of the
vessel, except for claims arising from use of the vessel by
the Government under subparagraph (C);
(2) have funds available that will be committed to operate
and maintain the vessel conveyed in good working condition--
(A) in the form of cash, liquid assets, or a written loan
commitment; and
(B) in an amount of at least $700,000; and
(3) agree to any other conditions the Commandant considers
appropriate.
(d) Maintenance and Delivery of Vessel.--Prior to
conveyance of a vessel under this section, the Commandant
shall, to the extent practical, and subject to other Coast
Guard mission requirements, make every effort to maintain the
integrity of the vessel and its equipment until the time of
delivery. The Commandant shall deliver a vessel conveyed
under this section at the place where the vessel is located,
in its present condition, and without cost to the Government.
The conveyance of a vessel under this section shall not be
considered a distribution in commerce for purposes of section
6(e) of Public Law 94-469 (15 U.S.C. 2605(e)).
(e) Other Excess Equipment.--The Commandant may convey to
the recipient of a vessel under this section any excess
equipment or parts from other decommissioned Coast Guard
vessels for use to enhance the vessel's operability and
function as an historical display.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Texas (Mr. Burgess) and the gentleman from Maine (Mr. Michaud) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Burgess).
Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
H.R. 517 conveys the Coast Guard Cutter Bramble to the Port Huron
Museum of Arts and History located in Port Huron, Michigan, for use for
education and historical display. The amendment we are considering also
conveys the Coast Guard Cutter Planetree to Jewish Life, a nonprofit
corporation that promotes the understanding of Jewish culture and
history. The Bramble is completing a nearly 60-year-long career,
performing the same tasks of buoy tending, ice breaking, search and
rescue and law enforcement for which she was commissioned in 1944.
One of 39 original Iris Class 180-foot seagoing buoy tenders built in
Duluth, Minnesota, the Bramble has served admirably all over the United
States, including Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico. The Cutter Bramble
has served on the Great Lakes since 1962 and has been homeported in
Port Huron since 1975. With new technology evolving, the door has
opened for a new class of buoy tenders to replace the 180-foot buoy
tenders. The 225-foot Coast Guard Cutter Hollyhock will replace the
Bramble, which will be decommissioned on May 22, 2003. The Cutter
Hollyhock will be homeported in Port Huron.
Although the Bramble has reached the end of her service life to the
Coast Guard, I can think of no better mission that she can continue to
perform than public service. Serving as an educational and historical
platform, she will remain a vital link to Port Huron's rich maritime
heritage.
The Cutter Planetree, a 180-foot seagoing buoy tender commissioned in
1943, also has a long history of excellent service to the Coast Guard
and to this Nation. She served in World War II and the Korean and
Vietnam wars. In addition to operating from ports in Guam, the Great
Lakes and throughout the Pacific Northwest, the Planetree made her
Alaska debut in 1974 when she was transferred to Juneau. Decommissioned
in 1999 in her homeport of Ketchikan, the Planetree currently is
berthed in the San Francisco area where she was retired to a naval
vessel graveyard. The Planetree was replaced by the new 175-foot buoy
tender Anthony Petit. This legislation will make it possible for
Planetree to resume her public service mission by serving as a symbolic
ship honoring the original 66 exodus ships, their crew members, and the
77,000 Holocaust survivors those vessels carried to Israel.
This legislation dealing with the Bramble was introduced by the
gentlewoman from Michigan (Mrs. Miller) and, as it is being considered
today, also includes the Planetree provision requested by the gentleman
from California (Mr. Berman). This bill allows the public to continue
to receive benefits from these vessels after their services are no
longer required by the Coast Guard.
I urge all Members to vote for this important legislation.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. MICHAUD. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 517, a bill to authorize
the conveyance of two Coast Guard cutters to nonprofit organizations so
they can use them for education and historic displays.
The 180-foot buoy tender Bramble was commissioned in 1944 and served
our Nation until its decommissioning on May 22, 2002. The Bramble has
sailed the waters from Alaska and Hawaii to Puerto Rico. Since 1962,
she has served on the Great Lakes and has been homeported in Port
Huron, Michigan, since 1975.
{time} 1415
H.R. 517 will authorize the conveyance of Bramble to the Port Huron
Museum of Arts and History where she
[[Page H3982]]
will continue to be open to the public for educational and historical
display purposes.
H.R. 517 also provides for the conveyance of the 180-foot buoy tender
Planetree to the Jewish Life Corporation. The Planetree was
commissioned in 1943 and served our Nation until it was decommissioned
in 1999. During her service to our country, the Planetree served in
World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. Since 1974, the
Planetree has served in Ketchikan, Alaska. The Jewish Life Organization
will use the Planetree to teach the public about the original 66 Exodus
ships, their crewmembers and the 77,000 Holocaust survivors those
vessels carried to Israel.
These conveyances include the standard requirements that Congress has
used in the past for similar vessel conveyance, including prohibition
of the vessel from being used for commercial transportation purposes,
agreeing to make the vessels available to the Federal Government in a
time of war or national emergency, and a requirement that the
organizations have the necessary funds to operate and maintain the
vessels in good working condition. There must be a minimum amount of at
least $700,000 in financial resources available.
Therefore, Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the passage
of H.R. 517.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentlewoman from
Michigan (Mrs. Miller).
Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to proudly support
H.R. 517. This is a bill which would direct the Commandant of the Coast
Guard to convey the Coast Guard cutter, the Bramble, to the Port Huron
Museum of Arts and History in Port Huron, Michigan, upon its
decommissioning on May 22, 2003.
The Bramble is also known by its nickname, ``The Thorn of the Great
Lakes.'' It is concluding 59 years of service to our Nation. This proud
ship has a remarkable history which began in the Great Lakes, has ended
in the Great Lakes, and so it is fitting that she remain there to
memorialize its great maritime past.
First commissioned in 1945 in Duluth, Minnesota, she departed the
Great Lakes for California to perform navigational duties. She
continued these duties in Alaska in the Aleutian Island chain. She
participated in ``Operation Crossroads,'' the first test of atomic
bombs' effects on surface ships at Bikini Island.
In 1957, after being outfitted as an icebreaker, the Bramble traveled
4,500 miles in 64 days, making her the first surface ship to
circumnavigate the North American continent.
In 1962, the Bramble returned to the Great Lakes, and today she
resides in Port Huron, Michigan, also commonly known as the Blue Water
Area. This is an area that is very rich with maritime heritage.
Her duties include servicing hundreds of navigational buoys, weather
buoys, fog signals, shore lights, and lighthouses as well. This good
ship has received many awards during its tour of duty. Just to name a
few: The Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Commendation, the American
Campaign Medal, the World War II Victory Ribbon, the National Defense
Service Medal, the Arctic Service Medal, and the Special Ops Service
Medal.
One additional duty that the Bramble has performed for many years has
actually affected me personally. I race every year in the longest
freshwater sailboat regatta in the world. It is called the Port Huron
to Mackinac Sailboat Race. This is an event that attracts literally
hundreds of boats and thousands of sailors, and as the fleet progresses
its way up Lake Huron, the Bramble has traditionally followed the
fleet, always on call in case of some tragedy. This has been a huge
comfort to the sailors that participate in this race, including myself.
This year will be my 27th such race. And actually after 25 of these
races they induct them into something called the ``Old Goat Society,''
or in my case an old nanny goat. I think I am the only nanny goat in
the United States Congress.
This year, though, the Bramble will not be following the fleet. A new
cutter called the Hollyhock will do the honors, and I am certain that
the Coast Guard will continue to demonstrate the skill and the bravery
and the professionalism that it has always been known for.
Nevertheless, the Bramble has become an integral member of the Port
Huron community, and over these many years of service, the community
has come to view this ship as belonging to the town and to its people
because this ship is part of our past, so much so that a charitable
nonprofit organization made up of members of the community called the
Port Huron Museum of Arts and History has been formed to take
possession of and to administer the Bramble as a tangible example of
Michigan's maritime character.
Upon receiving the Bramble, these groups intend to open it to the
public, both in Port Huron and other locations around the Great Lakes,
as it promotes an appreciation for maritime history and education, as
it partners with our local community college, the local school
district, and provides a training platform for training cadets of the
Great Lakes Maritime Academy.
Passage of H.R. 517 would ensure that the Bramble will continue to
loyally serve the communities.
Mr. Speaker, I would also like to thank the distinguished gentleman
from New Jersey (Mr. LoBiondo), chairman of the Subcommittee on Coast
Guard and Maritime Transportation, for his assistance in this matter.
I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 517.
Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from Michigan (Mrs.
Miller).
Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr.
McCotter).
Mr. McCOTTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House
Resolution 517 and thank the gentlewoman from Michigan (Mrs. Miller)
for introducing this bill.
Since 1945, the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Bramble has protected
passengers in ports in the Pacific, the Atlantic, and the Arctic,
before finally coming home to the Great Lakes in 1962. Here, for over
40 years, with her crew of the Coast Guard's finest, the Bramble met
every mission be it attending our waters, servicing navigation aids,
guarding against ice, and most importantly protecting human life.
Today the proud Bramble has reached the sunset of her sailing days,
as the Coast Guard's ever-evolving mission requires newer vessels.
Mr. Speaker, we can assign the Bramble one final mission: that of an
educator and goodwill ambassador at the Port Huron Museum of Arts and
History. There is no finer way to honor the Bramble and the brave men
and women who boarded her.
I respectfully ask the House to support this legislation.
Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I very much appreciate the efforts of
Ranking Member Oberstar, and those of Chairman LoBiondo and Ranking
Member Filner of the Coast Guard Subcommittee, and also Congresswoman
Miller and thank these Members for their support of H.R. 517.
I encourage my colleagues to vote in favor of this legislation, which
would transfer the title of two decommissioned Coast Guard vessels to
organizations that, I'm sure you would agree, plan to put them to good
use.
Let me speak in particular about the provision of the bill that would
transfer the title to the Coast Guard Cutter Planetree to Jewish Life,
a non-profit U.S. corporation based in California. Jewish Life plans to
refurbish the Planetree to act as a floating exhibit to commemorate the
66 Exodus ships that carried Holocaust survivors to Israel following
World War II, and to educate Americans about their role in this
critical event in Israel's history.
The Planetree was decommissioned 3 years ago. The vessel is not
seaworthy and has been in cold-water storage in San Francisco ever
since, at some expense to U.S. taxpayers.
While many are aware of the importance of the Exodus to the
establishment of Israel, few are aware of the critical role that
Americans played in it. Over 200 Americans manned the Exodus ships,
which were responsible for carrying 70,000 Holocaust survivors to
Israel.
The vessel, re-christened the Exodus 2004, will tour ports in the
U.S. and Europe, and participate in ceremonies at each stop
commemorating the Exodus. The vessel will end its tour in Israel, where
it will remain as a floating exhibit as part of a museum dedicated to
the Exodus.
I believe that this certainly is a worthwhile cause, and I encourage
you to vote in support of the bill.
[[Page H3983]]
Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 517, introduced by Mrs. Miller
of Michigan, would direct the Commandant of the Coast Guard to convey
the Coast Guard Cutter Bramble, upon its scheduled decommissioning, to
the Port Huron Museum of Arts and History located in Port Huron,
Michigan for use for education and historical display.
As amended, H.R. 517 would also direct the Commandant of the Coast
Guard to convey the Coast Guard Cutter Planetree, decommissioned on
March 19, 1999, to Jewish Life, a nonprofit corporation that promotes
the understanding of Jewish history and culture. The vessel will serve
as a symbolic ship honoring the original 66 Exodus ships, their
crewmembers, and the 77,000 Holocaust survivors they brought to Israel.
Before the vessels are conveyed, the recipients of the vessels must
agree to (1) use the designated vessel for education and historical
display; (2) not use the vessel for commercial transportation; (3) make
the vessel available in time of war or national emergency; and (4) hold
the government harmless for any claims arising from exposure to
hazardous materials. The recipients must also show their financial
viability.
I urge the House to pass this legislation. Returning these
decommissioned Coast Guard cutters to missions of public service
benefits the public by providing important education and outreach
activities.
Mr. MICHAUD. Mr. Speaker, I have no additional requests for time, and
I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Stearns). The question is on the motion
offered by the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Burgess) that the House
suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 517, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor
thereof) the rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
The title was amended so as to read: ``A bill to direct the
Commandant of the Coast Guard to convey 2 Coast Guard cutters.''.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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