[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 184 (Thursday, December 17, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1815]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 COAST GUARD AUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2015

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, December 10, 2015

  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 
4188, the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2015.
  H.R. 4188 authorizes the United States Coast Guard, a critical 
component of the Department of Homeland Security, through fiscal year 
2017 at $8.7 billion per year. The bill includes provisions aimed at 
improving Coast Guard mission effectiveness, modernizing the Service's 
aging vessels and other assets, and reforming U.S. maritime 
transportation laws.
  Since our Nation's earliest years, the Coast Guard has kept our ports 
and waterways secure, protected our shores and coastal communities, and 
responded to disasters and other emergencies. As Ranking Member of the 
House Committee on Homeland Security, I recognize and thank the men and 
women of the Coast Guard for their work, particularly their efforts at 
fulfilling the Coast Guard's critical homeland security missions. I am 
pleased to support legislation that reauthorizes the Coast Guard to 
ensure that it is positioned to effectively execute its eleven vital 
statutory homeland security and non-homeland security missions.
  Modernizing the Coast Guard's aircraft, vessels, and other technology 
is critical to its operations. H.R. 4188 includes provisions that seek 
to improve the Service's acquisition process and improve the quality of 
assets delivered. The bill also requires the Department of Homeland 
Security to develop and present to Congress a strategic plan for the 
Coast Guard's long-term acquisition and manpower needs. This 
requirement will go a long way to enhancing both the DHS and Congress' 
understanding and prioritization of Coast Guard capability needs.
  In addition, H.R. 4188 directs the Coast Guard to have a new manpower 
requirements plan that assesses all projected mission requirements for 
the next four fiscal years; the number of personnel available currently 
and projected; capability gaps caused by a lack of available personnel; 
and the steps the Coast Guard will take to address these gaps. In 
carrying out this requirement, it is important that the Coast Guard 
take into account the need to foster greater diversity at all levels of 
the organization. Consistently deploying broad recruitment efforts can 
only strengthen the Coast Guard.
  Congress must continue to ensure these brave men and women have the 
necessary authorities and resources to accomplish all that they do on 
behalf of our Nation. H.R. 4188 is a good step in that direction, and I 
congratulate my colleagues in moving this important legislation 
forward.

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