[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 6 (Wednesday, January 18, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E36]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING AND CONGRATULATING THE AMERICAN BUREAU OF SHIPPING ON ITS 
                           150TH ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. FRANK A. LoBIONDO

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 18, 2012

  Mr. LoBIONDO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate 
the American Bureau of Shipping on its 150th anniversary.
  What today is known as the American Bureau of Shipping, or ABS, was 
originally founded by John Divine Jones as the American Shipmasters' 
Association. Through a legislative act by the State of New York, the 
Association was formally incorporated on April 22, 1862.
  From the time of its founding, ABS has been committed to its mission 
to promote the safety of life, property and the natural environment. To 
fulfill this mission, ABS has evolved into a global not-for-profit 
organization with more than 200 offices in 70 different countries.
  ABS published its first technical standards, Rules for Survey and 
Classing Wooden Vessels, in 1870. As the technology evolved, so too did 
ABS' rules. In 1890, ABS published its first version of the Rules for 
Building and Classing Steel Vessels. These Steel Vessel Rules continue 
to be revised and published annually, embodying the service, 
experience, and technological achievements accumulated since that first 
edition.
  With the passage of the Merchant Marine Act of 1920, ABS became the 
Agent of the United States Government on all matters of ship 
classification for government vessels. This led to ABS providing 
classification services for 2,710 Liberty Ships and 531 Victory Ships 
during World War II. This record of working side-by-side with our naval 
shipbuilders continues today as ABS provides classification-related 
services to a host of government vessels including the Navy's DDG-1000 
and Littoral Combat Ships; the Coast Guard's Offshore Patrol Cutter and 
Fast Response Cutters; and NOAAs Oceanographic Research vessels. ABS 
also works with the Military Sealift Command and Maritime 
Administration Ready Reserve Force in support of our national sealift 
capabilities.
  ABS continues to be a leader in establishing technical standards for 
the commercial maritime industry as well. This longstanding technical 
experience has led to ABS providing over 3,000 inspections of 
commercial U.S.-flagged ships on behalf of the U.S. Coast Guard this 
past year.
  ABS has also provided guidance and support to the offshore energy 
industry for more than five decades. In recent years ABS has provided 
independent third party safety, security, and risk assessments to 
insurance, chemical, mining, nuclear power and renewable energy 
companies, as well as the U.S. Government.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join with me in congratulating 
ABS on its 150th anniversary and in recognizing ABS' significant 
service to the American marine and offshore industries and our sea 
services. As the Classification Society of the United States, ABS 
continues to serve today as a vanguard to mariners, public safety, and 
our natural environment.

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