[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 52 (Wednesday, April 14, 2010)]
[House]
[Pages H2514-H2516]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           COMMENDING THE AMERICAN SAIL TRAINING ASSOCIATION

  Mr. CUMMINGS. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the resolution (H. Res. 197) to commend the American Sail Training 
Association for its advancement of character building under sail and 
for its advancement of international goodwill, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 197

       Whereas the American Sail Training Association (ASTA) is an 
     educational nonprofit corporation whose declared mission is 
     ``to encourage character building through sail training, 
     promote sail training to the North American public and 
     support education under sail'';
       Whereas since its founding in 1973, ASTA has promoted these 
     goals through--
       (1) support of character building experiences aboard 
     traditionally rigged sail training vessels;
       (2) a program of scholarship funds supporting such 
     experiences;
       (3) a long history of tall ship races, rallies, and 
     maritime festivals dating back as far as 1976;
       (4) the Tall Ships Challenge series of races and maritime 
     festivals which--
       (A) have been conducted each year since 2001;

[[Page H2515]]

       (B) have reached an aggregate audience to date of some 
     8,000,000 spectators;
       (C) have had a cumulative economic impact of over 
     $400,000,000 for over 30 host communities; and
       (D) involve sail training vessels, trainees, and crews from 
     all the coasts of the United States and around the world;
       (5) support of its membership of more than 200 sail 
     training vessels, embracing barks, barques, barkentines, 
     brigantines, brigs, schooners, sloops, and full-rigged ships, 
     which carry the flags of the United States, Canada, and many 
     other nations and have brought life changing adventures to 
     thousands and thousands of young trainees;
       (6) a series of more than 30 annual sail training 
     conferences to date, conducted in numerous cities throughout 
     the United States and Canada and embracing the Safety Under 
     Sail Forum and the Education Under Sail Forum;
       (7) extensive collaboration with the United States Coast 
     Guard and with the premier sail training vessel of the United 
     States, the square-rigged barque USCGC Eagle;
       (8) publication of ``Sail Tall Ships'', a periodic 
     directory of sail training opportunities; and
       (9) supporting the enactment of the Sailing Schools Vessel 
     Act of 1982, Public Law 97-322, on October 15, 1982;
       Whereas ASTA has ably represented the United States as its 
     national sail training organization as a founding member of 
     Sail Training International, the recognized international 
     body for the promotion of sail training, which itself carries 
     forward a series of international races amongst square-rigged 
     and other traditionally rigged vessels reaching back as far 
     as the 1950s; and
       Whereas ASTA and Sail Training International are 
     collaborating with port partners around the Atlantic Ocean to 
     produce Tall Ships Atlantic Challenge 2009, an international 
     fleet of sail training vessels originating in Europe, 
     voyaging to North America, and returning to Europe: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) commends the American Sail Training Association for its 
     advancement of character building experiences for youth at 
     sea in traditionally rigged sailing vessels and its 
     advancement of the finest traditions of the sea; and--
       (2) commends the American Sail Training Association as the 
     national sail training association of the United States, 
     representing the sail training community of the United States 
     in the international forum.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Maryland (Mr. Cummings) and the gentlewoman from Michigan (Mrs. Miller) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Maryland.


                             General Leave

  Mr. CUMMINGS. Madam 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 material on H. Res. 197.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Maryland?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. CUMMINGS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Introduced by Congressman Kennedy, H. Res. 197 commends the American 
Sail Training Association, ASTA, for its work creating opportunities 
for young people to sail on traditionally rigged sailing vessels and 
for its work representing the United States in international sail 
training fora.
  Barclay Warburton III founded ASTA in 1973. After he participated in 
a tall ships race held in Europe, he was inspired to form an 
organization in the United States that would be dedicated to supporting 
character building through sail training and promoting sail training to 
the North American public.
  Over the past nearly four decades, ASTA has carried on his vision by 
working to instill a love of sea in the next generation. The 
organization gives young people the chance to sail on tall ships and 
supports professional development among the crew members who work on 
tall ships. ASTA also organizes tall ship races and associated maritime 
festivals such as the Tall Ships Challenge Series.
  These festivals give young people interested in sailing the chance to 
experience life on tall ships. They have also enabled millions of 
spectators to experience the majesty of tall ships and have created 
significant economic benefits in the coastal communities in which they 
have been held.
  I note that the United States Coast Guard Cutter Eagle was used to 
train cadets at the Coast Guard Academy on the principles of 
seamanship. It's just one of the many vessels that has worked 
extensively with ASTA and participated in many ASTA sailing events.
  ASTA's work is critical to preserving our Nation's rich maritime 
heritage and ensuring that its traditions are passed on to the next 
generation. Madam Speaker, as the chairman of the Subcommittee on Coast 
Guard and Maritime Transportation, I urge the adoption of H. Res. 197 
of the House today and commend the good work of my friend, Congressman 
Kennedy, on this resolution.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Madam Speaker, I yield myself as much time 
as I might consume.
  I rise in very strong support of this resolution.
  House Resolution 197 recognizes the contribution of the American Sail 
Training Association. Tall ships remind us of our proud maritime 
history and our heritage. Through this Association, many, many young 
people get an opportunity to train aboard these vessels and to gain 
important leadership experience.
  Sailing provides a great opportunity, a wonderful opportunity, to be 
outside, to be out in nature, enjoying our Nation's bountiful natural 
resources. Moreover, it's an opportunity for individuals to learn the 
value of teamwork, and it provides a personal competitive challenge for 
each member of the crew as they attempt to match their sailing skills 
against those of the other boats and Mother Nature. There's actually 
nothing like it.
  I speak from some personal experience, Madam Speaker. Actually, my 
family was in the marina business. I sold sailboats before I ever 
became involved in public service. It was our family business. It was 
the way we made our living. It was our family hobby.
  In fact, some of my fondest memories include participating in what 
are some of the marquis freshwater sailing regattas in the Great Lakes, 
of which I am happy to represent a district from, such as the Port 
Huron to Mackinac race, of which I have raced in 29 of them. Actually, 
after you race 25, they induct you into something called the Old Goat 
Society, or, in my case, I am an old nanny goat. I think I am the only 
old nanny goat in the United States Congress, as well as participating 
in the Chicago-to-Mackinac freshwater race as well.
  Since 1973, the American Sail Training Association has been 
introducing young people to the world of sailing, specifically on tall 
ships. Madam Speaker, these experiences instill the values of hard 
work, leadership, appreciation for our environment, and cooperation as 
well, all attributes which will serve young people very well throughout 
their lifetime.
  This summer, the American Sail Training Association is going to be 
partnering with Great Lakes United, which will bring a fleet of 
international tall ships actually into the Great Lakes. As these 
vessels sail through the world's largest body of fresh water, in fact, 
the Great Lakes are fully one-fifth or 20 percent of the fresh water 
supply of the entire planet, they will be calling on various ports 
throughout the Great Lakes to promote stewardship of the Great Lakes 
and the educational benefits of sailing.
  Again, as one who has sailed throughout the Great Lakes, I know that 
the young people who participate in this venture will be astounded by 
the majesty as well as the challenges that they will face from a 
sailing and a boating perspective on the Great Lakes.
  I certainly commend the American Sail Training Association for their 
work to promote the continued display and use of these majestic ships, 
as well as their efforts to provide a platform to advance historical 
and environmental awareness also and, of course, development of 
leadership skills amongst our young people.
  In closing, I would just say that there are few things, Madam 
Speaker, more moving or majestic that speak to us of our proud maritime 
heritage than when we see the tall ships. Who can forget, certainly in 
our Nation's bicentennial, when the tall ships came into New York 
Harbor, going by the Statue of Liberty, really speaks to what America 
is certainly all about, I think.

[[Page H2516]]

This resolution recognizes an organization that allows young people to 
experience these tall ships. I would urge my colleagues to support it.
  I yield back the balance of my time.

                              {time}  1115

  Mr. CUMMINGS. Madam Speaker, I just wanted to close here and just say 
that I agree with the gentlelady with regard to tall ships. Being from 
the port city of Baltimore, we've had the opportunity to see the tall 
ships and to see what sailing has done for our country. I think this is 
an outstanding resolution, and so I would move for the adoption of it 
and suggest that all Members vote for it.
  Mr. OBERSTAR. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 197, 
as amended, introduced by the gentleman from Rhode Island (Mr. 
Kennedy), commending the American Sail Training Association for its 
advancement of character building under sail and for its advancement of 
international goodwill.
  In 1972, Barclay Warburton III, of Newport, Rhode Island, his two 
sons, and several friends sailed the brigantine Black Pearl across the 
Atlantic to participate in a tall ships race from England to Sweden. 
Mr. Warburton was inspired by the enthusiasm and spirit of the young 
people who participated in the race and, in 1973, he established the 
American Sail Training Association, ASTA, to provide similar 
experiences for young people in the United States.
  Today, ASTA is a respected nonprofit organization with a mission to 
encourage character building under sail.
  ASTA provides young people with experiences aboard traditionally 
rigged sail training vessels, and manages scholarship and grant 
programs. ASTA also organizes and participates in tall ships races and 
maritime festivals involving vessels and crews from all coasts of the 
United States and from around the world.
  ASTA supports more than 200 training vessels of many types from the 
United States, Canada, and other nations. Each year, ASTA also supports 
more than 30 annual sail training conferences throughout the United 
States and Canada. ASTA also publishes ``Sail Tall Ships'', a periodic 
directory of sail training opportunities.
  ASTA collaborates extensively with the United States Coast Guard and 
the USCG Eagle to conduct many of its sail training programs.
  As the United States' representative in, and a founding member of, 
Sail Training International, STI, the international body promoting sail 
training, ASTA recently collaborated with STI and port partners around 
the Atlantic Ocean to create the Tall Ships Atlantic Challenge 2009: a 
7,000-mile trip around the Atlantic over the traditional routes 
followed by ships during the age of sail.
  I thank the gentleman from Rhode Island for introducing this 
resolution to commend the American Sail Training Association.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H. Res. 197.
  Mr. CUMMINGS. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Cummings) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 197, 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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