[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 9]
[Senate]
[Page 13176]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                    SUPPORT FOR THE U.S. COAST GUARD

  Mr. DeWINE. Mr. President, I rise today to thank the chairman and 
ranking member of the Appropriations Committee, Senators Byrd and 
Stevens, for working with me and so many others in support of the $92 
million for the U.S. Coast Guard. This funding was included in the 2001 
Emergency Supplemental Appropriations bill we recently passed.
  The Coast Guard needs this assistance to meet basic operational 
expenses and fund unexpected fiscal year 2001 budget requirements. We 
must support the critical services that the Coast Guard performs across 
the country. By passing this bill, we have demonstrated our strong 
support for its missions and will help it stay in the business of 
saving lives.
  Known as ``the rescue expert,'' our Coast Guard responds to 40,000 
search and rescue cases each year, saving 3,800 lives. And, though it 
is the rescue and response missions that get the headlines, the Coast 
Guard also is very dedicated to preventing emergencies. The Coast Guard 
inspects all commercial ships--including cargo ships, tankers, and 
cruise ships.
  There are many other ways that the Coast Guard protects our citizens. 
One major component of Coast Guard operations is drug interdiction. 
Last year, the Coast Guard seized more than 66 tons of cocaine, with a 
street value of $4 billion--that's more than the total operating cost 
of the entire Coast Guard.
  Perhaps one of the Coast Guard's toughest jobs is the day to day 
enforcement of U.S. immigration law. Coast Guard men and women are 
challenged daily to carry out their responsibilities with due regard 
for the law, human dignity, and above all, the safety of human life. It 
is a tough job, and each case is unique. But day in and day out, the 
Coast Guard continues to carry out its duties with professionalism and 
a never-ending commitment to those it serves.
  These are just some of the vital missions the Coast Guard conducts. 
But the Coast Guard is reaching the point where it is stretched so thin 
and the condition of its equipment is so poor that I fear it will no 
longer be able to sustain daily operations.
  When compared to 41 other maritime agencies around the world, the 
ships that make up our Coast Guard fleet of cutters are the 38th 
oldest. Because the fleet is so old, the Coast Guard has had to spend 
twice as much money to fix equipment and hull problems. This is a very 
serious problem, Mr. President. It is a problem that does not result 
from mismanagement, but rather, it is a problem that has resulted from 
a continual lack of adequate funding for our Coast Guard.
  We need to provide the Coast Guard with the resources necessary so 
the American people can have the services that they require and 
deserve. The funding included in the 2001 Emergency Supplemental 
Appropriations bill certainly will help keep our Coast Guard afloat. 
And, we must remain committed to ensuring that our Coast Guard has 
adequate resources not just now, but well into the future.
  I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues on this vital 
issue.

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