[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 207 (Tuesday, December 8, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1116]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION COMMISSIONED OFFICER 
                      CORPS AMENDMENTS ACT OF 2020

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                     HON. JENNIFFER GONZALEZ-COLON

                             of puerto rico

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, December 3, 2020

  Miss GONZALEZ-COLON of Puerto Rico. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong 
support of S. 2981, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 
Commissioned Officer Corps Amendments Act of 2020. I was also proud to 
cosponsor the House companion to this bill--H.R. 2406--introduced by my 
colleagues, Representatives Ed Case of Hawaii, Don Young of Alaska, and 
Jared Huffman of California.
  The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned 
Officer Corps (NOAA Corps) operates the agency's highly specialized 
international fleet of research and survey ships and aircraft. They 
conduct oceanographic and atmospheric research and include the 
Hurricane Hunter aviators, who provide the National Weather Service 
with the necessary data for their storm forecasts and warnings.
  In Puerto Rico, we know how important this work is. For instance, 
before Hurricane Maria even departed our waters in September 2017, the 
NOAA Corps-led NOAA Ship Thomas Jefferson became the first federal 
vessel on scene in relief efforts. Over the next 20 days, that ship and 
crew worked uninterrupted, around-the-clock shifts throughout Puerto 
Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, eventually clearing eighteen 
individual port facilities in thirteen areas. Seven of them were in 
Puerto Rico alone.
  That is why I support passage of S. 2981, which would give NOAA Corps 
the authorities it needs to continue as an effective service for our 
nation. The bill would provide its officers employment rights in line 
with other uniformed services, authorizes education loan repayment 
programs for NOAA Corps officers and tuition support for prospective 
officers, and gives NOAA updated authorities to manage the size and 
composition of the Corps, among other provisions.
  I look forward to continuing supporting the men and women of the NOAA 
Corps.

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