[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 11 (Thursday, January 22, 2015)]
[House]
[Page H484]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                LET'S KEEP OUR MARITIME INDUSTRY STRONG

  (Mr. KILMER asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. KILMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to call on Congress to oppose 
efforts that would undermine our domestic maritime industry and 
workforce.
  Ninety-five years ago, Congress recognized the critical importance of 
maintaining a strong domestic maritime fleet by passing the Merchant 
Marine Act, also known as the Jones Act.
  Congress is now considering unraveling a law that has played a key 
role in ensuring the development of a robust shipyard industrial base 
that supports our national economy, our military, and our homeland 
security.
  The Jones Act has also guaranteed that the United States has highly 
trained and skilled mariners who can be called into service during 
times of national emergency so America can build ships for America.
  We saw how commercial vessels flying the American flag played a major 
role in providing the mariners needed to operate sealift vessels 
activated from reserve status in support of Operations Enduring Freedom 
and Iraqi Freedom.
  This is about American jobs. In 2012, the maritime industry employed 
more than 57,000 workers and supported $15.2 billion in gross business 
income in Washington State alone. In the Pacific Northwest, we 
understand the importance of the Jones Act.
  Why would Congress kill good American jobs?
  Mr. Speaker, I am hopeful that Congress will reject efforts to 
undermine the Jones Act and I will continue working with my colleagues 
to show our strong support for our country's domestic maritime industry 
and its workers.

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