[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 12]
[House]
[Pages 16879-16880]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                SUPPORTING GOALS OF NATIONAL MARINA DAY

  Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the resolution (H. Res. 647) supporting the goals of National Marina 
Day and urging marinas to continue providing environmentally friendly 
gateways to boating.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                              H. Res. 647

       Whereas the people of the United States highly value their 
     recreational time and their ability to access the waterways 
     of the United States, one of the Nation's greatest natural 
     resources;
       Whereas in 1928, the National Association of Engine and 
     Boat Manufacturers first used the word ``marina'' to describe 
     a recreational boating facility;
       Whereas the United States is home to more than 12,000 
     marinas that contribute substantially to local communities by 
     providing safe and reliable gateways to boating;
       Whereas the marinas of the United States serve as stewards 
     of the environment and actively seek to protect the waterways 
     that surround them for the enjoyment of this generation and 
     generations to come;
       Whereas the marinas of the United States provide 
     communities and visitors with a place where friends and 
     families, united by a passion for the water, can come 
     together for recreation, rest, and relaxation; and
       Whereas the Marina Operators Association of America has 
     designated August 14, 2004 as ``National Marina Day'' to 
     increase awareness among citizens, policymakers, and elected 
     officials about the many contributions that marinas make to 
     communities: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) supports the goals of National Marina Day; and
       (2) urges that the marinas of the United States continue to 
     provide environmentally friendly gateways to boating for the 
     people of the United States.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Ohio (Mr. LaTourette) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Filner) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. LaTourette).
  Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I might 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, H. Res. 647, which was introduced by our colleague, the 
gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Deal), proclaims the House of 
Representatives' support for the goals and ideals of National Marina 
Day and urges marina owners and operators to continue their strong 
stewardship of the marine environment so that this Nation's waters may 
be enjoyed by recreational boaters for generations to come.
  August 14 is National Marina Day, and this is a perfect resolution to 
be considering in the week prior to the August recess. Throughout the 
country, Americans of every economic class are using their summer 
vacations to enjoy their own recreational boats or to charter time on 
professionally operated vessels.
  The vast majority of boat owners do not have their own docks, and 
many boaters hire vessels rather than owning their own vessels. 
Therefore, without the Nation's 12,000 marinas and the services they 
provide, many of these boaters would be unable to maintain, operate, 
and enjoy their recreational boating. In turn, by providing dock space 
and services to the Nation's boat owners and operators, marinas provide 
140,000 jobs and generate significant tax revenue.
  As the resolution states, marinas are places where friends and 
families, united by a passion for the water, can come together for 
recreation, rest, and relaxation. Certainly in this summer season, we 
should support the goals and ideals of such places.
  I want to commend our colleague, the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. 
Deal), for introducing this resolution. I urge our colleagues to cast 
an ``aye'' vote to support the goals and ideals of National Marina Day.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I, too, rise in support of H. Res. 647, designating August 14 as 
National Marina Day. Like many Members of this House, I have a marina 
in my district. I am joined with all those who, over the United States, 
have 12,000 of them.
  These marinas, of course, provide a home to millions of boats and 
provide millions of Americans with access to the ocean, bays, rivers, 
and lakes in the United States; and as we heard, they also provide jobs 
for over 140,000 of us.
  When we are in our districts next month, we will likely see our 
constituents relaxing on the water because they have access to that 
water through the marina.
  These marinas will be celebrating National Marina Day with boating

[[Page 16880]]

safety demonstrations, environmental demonstrations, fishing rodeos, 
and marina open houses. What is a fishing rodeo? I wrote it, but I just 
do not know what I mean.
  In a time of heightened security, marina owners across the Nation are 
working with the Coast Guard to help improve security on our waterways 
by keeping an eye out for aggressive tactics and unusual activities on 
the water. They are on the water everyday and know when something 
appears unusual, and they will call the Coast Guard.
  So, Mr. Speaker, it is entirely fitting and appropriate for the U.S. 
House of Representatives to recognize the contributions that marinas 
make to maritime safety, our national economy, our national enjoyment.
  I urge my colleagues to support H. Res. 647, designating August 14 as 
National Marina Day.
  Mr. OBERSTAR. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?
  Mr. FILNER. I yield to the gentleman from Minnesota.
  Mr. OBERSTAR. Mr. Speaker, the gentleman was inquiring about a 
fishing rodeo. That is catch-and-release fishery. You cast out and 
catch fish and weigh them.
  Mr. FILNER. It is not riding them?
  Mr. OBERSTAR. Then you throw them back into the water, not throw them 
but you put them gently back into the water. You kiss the fish when you 
put it back in.
  Mr. FILNER. I thank the gentleman. I am glad I yielded to him.
  Mr. OBERSTAR. The gentleman from Ohio understands what is kissing the 
fish and putting it back in, especially in Lake Erie.
  Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?
  Mr. FILNER. I yield to the gentleman from Ohio.
  Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, in Ohio we always had trouble finding 
the little saddles necessary to accommodate the fish rodeos. They are 
very popular in Ohio as well.
  Mr. FILNER. Do I have to wear stirrups or whatever?
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to yield such time as 
he might consume to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Deal), the author 
of this resolution.

                              {time}  1800

  Mr. DEAL of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I would say, if the gentleman would 
come to Lake Lanier in north Georgia, we have some fish big enough to 
ride in Lake Lanier. We will provide the saddles. Fishing rodeos are 
big business, and they attract a lot of people to the sport of fishing.
  On August 14, we will celebrate the third annual National Marina Day. 
This annual celebration promotes the United States' 12,000 marinas and 
strives to educate all of us, politicians, civic leaders and the 
public, about the important roles that marinas play in the waterfront 
communities across America.
  During the first year, 80 marinas in 23 States participated in 
National Marina Day. Last year, the celebration spread to 150 marinas 
in 25 States. This year again marks another significant opportunity to 
recognize marina operators and their industry's role and contributions 
to America's water recreation.
  National Marina Day offers local marina operators the opportunity to 
host events to bring tens of thousands of people to our country's 
marinas. These marinas are gateways to boating and help maintain the 
natural environments that we enjoy.
  In my district, Lake Lanier is home to 10 marinas, and I am proud to 
recognize Kirby Cay Scheimann of the Aqualand Marina in Flowery Branch, 
Georgia, as the National Marina Day chairman. The marinas in my 
district, like other marinas throughout the country, provide an 
economic investment in the lake, boat storage, boat events, and a 
wealth of local knowledge for visitors to the lake. These marinas serve 
in our State as the area's gateway to Georgia's Great Lake.
  This resolution supports the goals of National Marina Day and 
recognizes the value marinas play as gateways to boating and as 
stewards of the environment. This resolution commends marinas as places 
where Americans can visit with family and friends and come together for 
recreation, rest, and relaxation.
  Congress and all of us as Members of Congress are in a unique 
position to support these goals. When the National Association of 
Engine and Boat Manufacturers first used the word ``marina'' in 1928, 
it was defined simply as a recreational boating facility. Today, 
however, marinas are much more. They have become an integral part not 
only of American recreation, but also of American life. They are 
strong, vibrant communities of families and friends united by a shared 
passion for the water.
  I urge adoption of the resolution.
  Mr. OBERSTAR. Mr. Speaker, the resolution before us recognizes 
National Marina Day on August 14, 2004.
  There are more than 12,000 marinas in the United States providing 
safe harbor for millions of recreational vessels that operate on the 
lakes and navigable waters of the United States. These marinas include 
boatyards, yacht clubs, and public and private mooring basins across 
the United States. Marinas in the United States provide employment for 
more than 140,000 Americans.
  Perhaps most importantly, marinas provide a means for millions of 
Americans to relax and enjoy themselves boating.
  National Marina Day is a time to celebrate the history of marinas and 
boating and to look to the future of this vibrant industry. National 
Marina Day activities across the United States will include 
environmental demonstrations, youth center events, fishing rodeos, 
boating safety demonstrations, and marina open houses.
  National Marina Day is going to be celebrated from Maine to Florida; 
from Maryland to Los Angeles, CA. Marinas participating in the 
celebration include marinas from the Marriott Marina in San Diego to 
the Constitution Marina in Boston.
  Marina owners are working closely with the United States Coast Guard 
to step up vigilance at their facilities to improve security on U.S. 
waterways. These efforts include looking out for aggressive activities, 
attempts to gain access to vessels without proper identification, 
fixtures attached to structures, unusual diving operations, and 
vehicles and vessels in unusual locations.
  Mr. Speaker, it is fitting for the U.S. House of Representatives to 
recognize the ongoing contribution of marina operators in the United 
States to our economy, our security, our environment, and most of all, 
for providing us with a way of enjoying a day on the beautiful 
waterways of the United States.
  I urge my colleagues to support the Resolution.
  Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, I urge passage of the resolution, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Ose). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. LaTourette) that the House 
suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 647.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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