[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 15]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 20465]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                              MARITIME DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. DAVID VITTER

                              of louisiana

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 30, 2004

  Mr. VITTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize September 30 as 
World Maritime Day. I urge the members of Congress to join me in 
saluting the hard working men and women of the Merchant Marine.
  Each day, mariners perform a vital service in the global economy by 
ensuring that international trade proceeds without interruption. They 
work long hours in all kinds of weather. Whether they sail on the 
storm-tossed waves of the North Atlantic or the tropical heat of the 
South Pacific, these men and women perform their duties without 
recognition or fanfare.
  Mariners and many others contribute to homeland security, and we must 
give them the support they need to effectively keep our ports safe. As 
we recognize Maritime Day, we cannot overlook the human element. 
Mariners sail for many weeks without being ashore or hearing a loved 
one's voice on a call home.
  We thank the mariners for their continued commitment to keeping us 
all secure, and we focus our attention on the challenge in their 
industry of balancing security needs with mariners' need for shore 
leave. I urge members of Congress to join me in working to reach a 
solution that provides the utmost in security for ports and harbors 
around the world while allowing for the personal needs of the men and 
women who sail these great ships.
  I come to the floor of the House of Representatives to salute and 
honor the men and women of the Merchant Marine on this World Maritime 
Day.

                          ____________________