[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 133 (Wednesday, September 29, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1789-E1790]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 PROVIDING FOR CONCURRENCE WITH AMENDMENTS IN SENATE AMENDMENT TO H.R. 
              3619, COAST GUARD AUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2010

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                           HON. HENRY CUELLAR

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 28, 2010

  Mr. CUELLAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the Coast Guard 
Authorization Act of 2010, a bill to authorize the important activities 
and programs of the United States Coast Guard.
  This comprehensive legislation includes new and enhanced port 
security programs that will help the Coast Guard protect and defend our 
nation's seaports, coastlines and waterways.
  Since the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, the Coast Guard has 
assumed additional security-related responsibilities and has improved 
its port and maritime border security and readiness capabilities.
  Accordingly, the bill includes a strong port security title that 
builds upon the Coast Guard's current initiatives to safeguard the 
public and protect vessels, harbors, ports, facilities, and cargo 
within the jurisdiction of the United States.
  For example, the bill's expansion of rapidly deployable specialized 
forces will enhance the

[[Page E1790]]

Coast Guard's current ability to respond and operate effectively in a 
hazardous threat environment.
  The bill also directs the Coast Guard to lead the effort to enforce 
security zones around vessels carrying certain hazardous cargos, such 
as liquefied natural gas, as well as to increase the number of 
detection canine teams responsible for maritime-related security.
  As the Chair of the Subcommittee on Border, Maritime, and Global 
Counterterrorism, I am particularly pleased that this legislation 
includes strong provisions to protect our nation's maritime border.
  The bill authorizes the America's Waterway Watch Program--a ``see it, 
say it'' maritime domain awareness program that encourages the 
reporting of suspicious activities on and around our waterways to the 
Coast Guard.
  Additionally, it authorizes the Mobile Biometric Identification 
Program, a program that will enhance border security by providing the 
Coast Guard with state-of-the-art biometric technology to help identify 
individuals interdicted at sea.
  The bill will require the Coast Guard to develop a comprehensive 
strategy to combat the illicit flow of narcotics, weapons, bulk cash 
and other contraband through the use of submersible and semi-
submersible vessels.
  Drug trafficking organizations are constructing these vessels for the 
purpose of bringing narcotics from South America to the United States, 
and their efforts are becoming increasingly sophisticated.
  Even more troubling is the thought that such vessels could be used to 
smuggle terrorists or their weapons into our country.
  The Coast Guard's development of a comprehensive strategy to detect 
and interdict these vessels will be a key component of our effort to 
defeat these drug trafficking organizations.
  Our Nation demands more from the Coast Guard now than at any other 
time in the Service's over 200-year history.
  During these challenging times, it is critical that we ensure that 
the Coast Guard has the resources necessary to fulfill its homeland 
security mission requirements.
  Passage of H.R. 3619 will provide the Coast Guard with the long-term 
tools that are needed in this post-9/11 world. Therefore, I urge my 
colleagues to join me in giving this important resolution their full 
support.

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