[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 109 (Thursday, July 19, 2012)]
[House]
[Page H5023]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         LAW OF THE SEA TREATY

  (Mr. FARR asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. FARR. I rise today to express my shocking disappointment with 
some Republican Members of the other body in opposing the Senate 
ratification of the Law of the Sea Treaty. The Law of the Sea Treaty 
ratification is essential to protect American interests. For over 30 
years now, the United States Navy and the U.S. Coast Guard, both under 
Republican and Democratic administrations, former Secretaries of State, 
and U.S. military personnel have been consistent and strong proponents 
of U.S. joining the Law of the Sea Convention. Defense Secretary Leon 
Panetta recently said:

       Not since we acquired the lands of the American West and 
     Alaska have we had such a great opportunity to expand U.S. 
     sovereignty.

  Former Secretary of Defense Robert Gates said:

       The Law of the Sea provides clear guidance on the 
     appropriate use of the maritime domain.

  As the world's major maritime power with the longest coastline, the 
U.S. has more to gain from legal certainty and public order in the 
world's oceans than any other country. It has been supported by every 
President since Ronald Reagan. The time is due for the other body to 
take a leadership role and ratify the Law of the Sea Treaty.

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