[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 111 (Thursday, July 24, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1584]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  IN HONOR OF THE AMERICAN MERCHANT MARINE FOR A JOB WELL DONE DURING 
                        OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM

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                          HON. LORETTA SANCHEZ

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 23, 2003

  Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise to 
congratulate the members of the American Merchant Marine for exemplary 
service to our country during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Our nation owes 
them a debt of gratitude for delivering goods and keeping our troops 
supplied during a very trying time. Without the Merchant Marines, our 
armed forces would have faced insurmountable obstacles during their 
mission in the Persian Gulf.
  Our maritime industry accounted for more than 80 percent of the 
supplies that were moved into Kuwait and Qatar for use in Operation 
Iraqi Freedom. Over 5000 mariners, from midshipmen to seasoned licensed 
marine officers, took part in the massive effort. They braved the seas 
in unarmed vessels full of explosive cargoes, and even volunteered to 
take anthrax and smallpox vaccinations to protect against biological 
attack. They moved nearly 21 million square feet of cargo in four 
months--the equivalent, as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff 
General Richard Myers stated, of shipping everything in the Pentagon 
three times.
  On May 22, 2003, Secretary of Transportation Norman Mineta said, 
``There is no more devoted a community of professionals than those who 
serve our nation's marine transportation system.'' I wholeheartedly 
agree with this statement. Since the founding of our great nation, the 
men and women of our maritime industry have shown great dedication to 
the ideals on which America was founded.
  In peacetime, and in wartime, our maritime industry provides the 
vital lines of communications that keep our manufacturers producing, 
our farmers growing, and our consumers buying. Without the Merchant 
Marines, the American economy would grind to a screeching halt.
  I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the important 
contributions made by our Merchant Mariners and their unwavering 
commitment to America's freedom and prosperity. Participation in the 
most recent war in Iraq is just another example of our Merchant 
Marine's dedication to our nation.

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