[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 148 (Wednesday, October 14, 2009)]
[House]
[Pages H11354-H11356]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  RECOGNIZING 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ATLANTIC INTRACOASTAL WATERWAY 
                              ASSOCIATION

  Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
resolution (H. Res. 465) recognizing the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway 
Association on the occasion of its 10th anniversary, and for other 
purposes, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 465

       Whereas the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway (AIWW) was 
     authorized by the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1937 to provide a 
     safe inside navigation channel for commercial shipping, 
     support for and encouragement of interstate commerce, and 
     safe harbor and protection for shipping from inclement 
     weather and wartime enemy attack;
       Whereas the AIWW, completed in 1940, runs along the 
     southeast coast of the United States from Norfolk, Virginia, 
     to Key West, Florida, and measures 1,088 miles long;
       Whereas segments of the intracoastal waterway on the 
     Atlantic Coast received their initial congressional 
     authorization through Rivers and Harbors Acts beginning in 
     1880;
       Whereas the AIWW is a vital transportation system providing 
     safe, reliable, and efficient navigation for commercial, 
     recreational, and military vessels;
       Whereas the Corps of Engineers is currently engaged in 
     flood control, hydropower production, environmental 
     restoration, maintenance dredging, lock maintenance, 
     recreation, and navigation projects along the AIWW;
       Whereas, according to the Corps of Engineers, in 2007 the 
     AIWW supported the transportation of 2,543,000 tons of 
     freight traffic, including commodities such as wheat, corn, 
     soybeans, electrical machinery, iron, coal, gasoline, 
     fabricated metal products, and electrical machinery;
       Whereas, according to the Corps of Engineers, in 2007 the 
     AIWW supported a total of 34,184 trips made by recreational, 
     commercial, and military vessels;
       Whereas the AIWW is an integral transportation network 
     supporting the Armed Forces through the shipment of military 
     equipment, fuel, and generators between Norfolk, Virginia, 
     and Kings Bay, Georgia;
       Whereas the Dismal Swamp Canal, on the AIWW, is the oldest 
     operating artificial waterway in the United States and has 
     been placed on the National Register of Historical Places, 
     was registered as an engineering landmark in 1988, and was 
     included in the National Park Service's Underground Railroad 
     Network to Freedom Program in 2004;
       Whereas the AIWW has enhanced the lives of the residents of 
     Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and 
     Florida, as well as the greater southeastern United States, 
     for more than 6 decades;
       Whereas the wildlife, flora, and fauna along the AIWW 
     provide ample recreational opportunities for birdwatchers, 
     photographers, and boaters;
       Whereas the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway Association was 
     organized in 1999 to address the navigation challenges of the 
     AIWW and to encourage the continuation and further 
     development of waterborne commerce and recreation on the 
     AIWW;
       Whereas the Association has voiced the interests of 
     commercial and recreational users of the AIWW, earning the 
     title of ``Voice of the Waterway'';
       Whereas the Association has been an advocate for 
     maintenance of the AIWW to promote safe, cost-effective 
     navigation; and
       Whereas the Association promotes the AIWW as a vital marine 
     highway along the Atlantic coast, providing safe navigation 
     for commercial and recreational vessels: Now, therefore, be 
     it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) recognizes the importance of the Atlantic Intracoastal 
     Waterway to recreational, commercial, and military vessels 
     and to the history and quality of life of the citizens of the 
     United States; and
       (2) acknowledges the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway 
     Association on the occasion of its 10th anniversary.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from

[[Page H11355]]

the District of Columbia (Ms. Norton) and the gentleman from Arkansas 
(Mr. Boozman) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from the District of Columbia.


                             General Leave

  Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks 
and to include extraneous remarks on H. Res. 465.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from the District of Columbia?
  There was no objection.
  Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 465 offered by Mr. Brown of 
South Carolina. This resolution recognizes the importance of the 
Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway and acknowledges the Atlantic 
Intracoastal Waterway Association on the occasion of its 10th 
anniversary.
  The waterway was authorized by the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1937 for 
the purpose of supporting and encouraging interstate commerce. Today, 
the waterway allows for the safe and efficient transportation of goods 
along the Atlantic coast from Norfolk, Virginia, to Key West, Florida.
  The waterway is comprised of numerous channels and rivers that were 
once separate and distinct. For example, the Dismal Swamp Canal was 
once a 22-mile-long waterway that supported commercial vessels 
traveling between Virginia and North Carolina. In 1929, however, it was 
purchased by the Federal Government for half a million dollars and 
incorporated into a larger transportation network. Today, the Dismal 
Swamp Canal is an integral part of the waterway and is recognized as 
the oldest operating artificial waterway in the United States. 
Additionally, it is also on the National Park Service's Underground 
Railroad Network to Freedom program.
  The waterway holds great significance to those who live in the 
southeastern United States. It enables waterborne transportation to 
move smoothly and efficiently and provides numerous recreational 
opportunities for anglers and boating and enthusiasts.
  It is appropriate to recognize the importance of the waterway to the 
quality of life of our citizens and to the thousands of commercial, 
recreational, and military vessels that utilize the system each year.
  This resolution also acknowledges the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway 
Association on the occasion of its 10th anniversary. This association 
has worked over the last decade as an advocate for keeping the waterway 
open and safe for navigation. It is appropriate to recognize its 
numerous contributions.
  Mr. Speaker, I support this resolution and urge my colleagues to 
support it as well.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I might 
consume.
  According to the Chesapeake Convention and Tourism Bureau, Edgar 
Allen Poe reportedly wrote parts of his famous poem ``The Raven'' while 
traveling the Dismal Swamp Canal, which was later to become part of the 
Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway.
  The Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, AIWW, was authorized by the 
Rivers and Harbors Act of 1937 to provide a safe inside navigation 
channel for commercial shipping. Completed in 1940, the AIWW runs along 
the southeast coast of the United States from Norfolk, Virginia, to 
Miami, Florida, measuring 1,088 miles long.
  The Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway is also used extensively by 
recreational boaters. Studies have shown that recreational boaters 
bring millions of dollars to State budgets. The waterway is also used 
by vessels not equipped for ocean travel or for when weather conditions 
make the ocean too rough to travel.
  The Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway has a good deal of commercial 
activity. Products shipped include fuel oil, gasoline, asphalt, 
fertilizers, chemicals, wood chips, wood, limestone, sand, gravel, 
iron, steel, slag, lime, fabricated metal products, soybeans, 
vegetables, produce, and electrical machinery, all of which are shipped 
along the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway.
  The Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway Association was organized in 1999 
to address the navigation challenges of the waterway and to encourage 
the continuation and further development of waterborne commerce and 
recreation on the AIWW of Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, 
Georgia, and Florida. The association has been an outspoken advocate 
for regular dredging and adequate maintenance to promote safe, cost-
effective navigation along the AIWW and is known as the ``Voice of the 
Waterway.''
  Today, we recognize the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway Association on 
the occasion of its 10th anniversary.
  And with that, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. NORTON. I have no further speakers, and I reserve the balance of 
my time.
  Mr. BOOZMAN. With that, Mr. Speaker, I yield as much time as he might 
desire to the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Brown).
  Mr. BROWN of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I thank my good friend from 
Mr. Arkansas (Mr. Boozman) for yielding and the gentlelady from the 
District of Columbia (Ms. Norton) for her support of this resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, while only 10 years old, the Atlantic Intracoastal 
Waterway Association, AIWWA, has become a strong voice representing the 
interests of commercial and recreational users of the Atlantic 
Intracoastal Waterway by promoting the waterway as a vital marine 
highway along the Atlantic coast, providing safe navigation for 
commercial and recreational vessels.
  The association was organized in 1999 to address the navigational 
challenges of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway and to encourage the 
continuation and further development of commerce and recreation on the 
AIWW. At present, the association has more than 200 members consisting 
of tug and barge companies, shippers, port facilities, marinas, 
dredging companies, and others with an interest in the waterway.
  The AIWW was completed in 1940 and runs along the southeast coast of 
the United States from Norfolk, Virginia, to Key West, Florida, and 
measures 1,088 miles long. It has historically served as an important 
shelter for mariners from the stormy seas of the Atlantic. Since it 
runs parallel to Interstate 95, the waterway has the potential to 
become a major marine highway, serving as a safe, fuel-efficient, and 
economical alternative to congested highways and rail lines.
  Every ton of traffic that runs through a marine highway like AIWW is 
a ton of traffic that isn't on our congested highway system. I have 
heard from multiple shippers visiting my office that would love to have 
a nonhighway shipping option. AIWW connects all of the east coast 
ports. The potential for coastal traffic between these ports is 
significant and has the ability to have a major impact on smaller ports 
like Georgetown in my district. In fact, if the AIWW could be developed 
as a marine highway, the South Carolina State Ports Authority has 
estimated business growth at the Port of Georgetown could be more than 
2.5 million tons of cargo a year. However, the waterway faces 
significant funding challenges.
  In South Carolina alone, the Army Corps estimates that the need of 
the waterway will total some $14.5 million in fiscal year 2010, yet the 
administration has requested less than $800,000 for maintenance. 
Indeed, to bring the entire waterway up to standards and to keep it 
there will require over $100 million in investment; yet administration 
after administration continues to shortchange the AIWW in their budget, 
barely requesting enough money to control the mosquitos.
  This is no way to treat such a valuable potential resource, and I 
want to tip my hat to the AIWWA for their efforts to showcase the 
potential for the waterway not just to the communities it touches, but 
to the entire Nation. I'm proud to support the waterway and will 
continue to fight to ensure that it is not only maintained but improved 
to improve freight movement and open new economic doors for communities 
along its banks.
  Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. Speaker, having no more speakers on the subject, we 
do support the adoption of H. Res. 465 recognizing the Atlantic 
Intracoastal Waterway Association, the good work that they have done 
over the last 10 years, and with that, I yield back the balance of my 
time.

[[Page H11356]]

  Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, along with the gentleman from Arkansas and 
the gentleman from South Carolina who is the author of this resolution, 
we are pleased to support this resolution.
  Mr. OBERSTAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 465, 
recognizing the 10th anniversary of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway 
Association.
  The Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway (Waterway) runs from Norfolk, 
Virginia, to Key West, Florida, and has been in existence for more than 
seventy years. The once distinct channels and rivers that now make up 
the Waterway were brought together to create a continuous waterborne 
transportation network along the southeastern coast of the Atlantic.
  The Waterway has enriched the lives of those in the southeast and 
served the greater United States by allowing for the safe and efficient 
transportation of commercial goods along the coast.
  This resolution recognizes the importance of the Atlantic 
Intracoastal Waterway to the quality of life of the citizens in the 
United States, and to the thousands of recreational, commercial, and 
military vessels that use the system annually.
  The resolution also acknowledges the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway 
Association on the occasion of its 10th anniversary. This association 
has worked tirelessly over the last decade to keep the Waterway open 
and safe for navigation.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H. Res. 465.
  Mr. KLEIN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House 
Resolution 465 and to thank the gentleman from South Carolina, Mr. 
Brown, for introducing this important bill. I have had the good fortune 
of working with the distinguished gentleman on other legislation, and I 
can say that on this and other issues, he serves his constituents well.
  Mr. Speaker, H. Res. 465 acknowledges the Atlantic Intracoastal 
Waterway Association on the occasion of its 10th anniversary, and it 
recognizes the importance of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway to 
recreational, commercial, and military vessels and to the history and 
quality of life of the citizens of the United States.
  Having a congressional district with over 75 miles along the 
Intracoastal Waterway, I know firsthand its importance to South 
Florida. It serves as a crucial thoroughfare for the two ports in my 
district, the Port of Palm Beach and Port Everglades. In fact, the Army 
Corps of Engineers reported that over 2.5 million tons of freight 
traffic was shipped along the Intracoastal Waterway in 2007 alone, 
including commodities such as wheat, corn, and soybeans.
  But the Intracoastal Waterway provides Americans with more than just 
economic activity. Just go out on the water any day of the week in my 
congressional district and you'll see recreational boaters traveling on 
the Intracoastal Waterway. Boating is an iconic symbol for South 
Florida, and the Intracoastal Waterway serves as an important part of 
that. Simply put: South Florida would not be the boating capital of the 
world without it.
  I also want to take a moment and commend the work of the Florida 
Inland Navigation District, or FIND. They maintain our state's portion 
of the Intracoastal Waterway, from Jacksonville to Miami. Created in 
1927 by the Florida State Legislature, FIND is a special taxing 
district charged with helping to maintain the Intracoastal Waterway 
with the Army Corps of Engineers. They are an important entity and 
perform an often unheralded job, so I wanted to take this moment to 
commend the men and women employed by FIND for helping to maintain one 
of Florida's most important natural resources.
  In closing, I want to again thank the gentleman from South Carolina 
for introducing House Resolution 465, urge my colleagues to support its 
passage.
  Ms. NORTON. At this time, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentlewoman from the District of Columbia (Ms. Norton) that the House 
suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 465, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the resolution, as amended, was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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