[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 57 (Thursday, April 19, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E599]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         SURFACE TRANSPORTATION EXTENSION ACT OF 2012, PART II

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                               speech of

                           HON. MARCY KAPTUR

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 18, 2012

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the state of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 4348) to 
     provide an extension of Federal-aid highway, highway safety, 
     motor carrier safety, transit, and other programs funded out 
     of the Highway Trust Fund pending enactment of a multiyear 
     law reauthorizing such programs, and for other purposes:

  Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Chair, our Nation's ports are critical drivers for 
local economies and I am disturbed by the chronic underfunding of 
maintenance activities to allow for their maximum efficiency. The 
Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund was set up to address this growing 
concern and I continue to support the full expenditure of those funds 
for this purpose.
  In my part of the country, thousand foot Lakers carry the iron ore, 
limestone, coal, and sand that support the manufacturing industries, 
which employ thousands of hard working Americans. Without efficient, 
reliable shipping through ports like Toledo, Cleveland, Sandusky, and 
Lorain, those plants could not afford to do business in the United 
States.
  These ships are also carrying millions of tons of grain and other 
food commodities that make dinner affordable for our working families, 
and they are helping American farmers reach other countries, helping to 
balance our trade deficit. Thriving ports make this all possible.
  And shipping itself directly supports nearly 50,000 jobs in the Great 
Lakes region alone. Nationally, that number is much higher.
  Unfortunately, American shipping is at risk. Huge backlogs in 
dredging maintenance are causing ships to operate at reduced capacity 
or overlook some ports where navigation has become impossible.
  Insufficient maintenance is undermining our national competitiveness. 
While the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund collects critical revenue to 
keep our ports and waterways open, only half those funds are currently 
spent. Those critical dollars should be fully expended for their 
intended purpose, keeping our ports open for business.
  I am a cosponsor of the RAMP Act and rise in support of the Boustany 
Amendment. I hope to continue working with Representative Boustany and 
other colleagues as we move towards a final bill to ensure that this 
critical issue of Harbor Maintenance is included.

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