[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 106 (Friday, July 29, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1683]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




COMMENDING CONGRESSMAN DAVID OBEY FOR HIS DEDICATION TO THE GREAT LAKES 
                    ICE BREAKER REPLACEMENT PROJECT

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. WILLIAM D. DELAHUNT

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 28, 2005

  Mr. DELAHUNT. New Englanders are accustomed to harsh winters. We know 
all too well that frozen rivers and blocked harbors can impede tankers 
carrying goods and barges laden with home heating oil stocks, resulting 
in lost commerce and putting lives in danger.
  The people of the Great Lakes are no strangers to these problems 
too--which is why I am so pleased that the state-of-the-art Ice Breaker 
Mackinaw was recently delivered to the U.S. Coast Guard. The Mackinaw 
replacement project couldn't have happened without the support and hard 
work of our colleague, and the ranking member of the Appropriations 
Committee, Dave Obey.
  As many of my colleagues know, the new Mackinaw replaces a World War 
II-era icebreaker of the same name. For 60 years, she never missed a 
winter. However, the elements were beginning to take their toll on the 
ship, and it was becoming clear that a replacement vessel was needed.
  Toward that end, Congressman Obey has worked tirelessly to ensure the 
Coast Guard got the funding it needed for the Great Lakes Ice Breaker 
replacement project. His involvement with all aspects of the project--
from concept to commissioning--means that the newly christened Mackinaw 
will continue the legacy of her namesake well into the 21st century.
  But the Mackinaw is more than just an ice breaker. It is a homeland 
security platform complete with the necessary tools to carry out law 
enforcement operations on the Great Lakes. Additionally, its expanded 
decks will allow the cutter to tend to the lakes more than 2,500 
navigational aids.
  Without Congressman Obey's leadership we'd still be waiting to 
commence construction of the new Mackinaw. In the meantime, the lakes 
would have continued to freeze-over and access to vital harbors would 
have been blocked. The result would have been millions of dollars of 
lost commerce and lost livelihoods. The people of the Great Lakes 
region and the Nation--as well as the U.S. Coast Guard--are truly the 
beneficiaries of his stewardship.

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