[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 13]
[House]
[Pages 17174-17175]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  SUPPORTING GOALS OF NATIONAL MARINA DAY AND URGING MARINAS CONTINUE 
         PROVIDING ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY GATEWAYS TO BOATING

  Mr. COBLE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
resolution (H. Res. 308) supporting the goals of National Marina Day 
and urging marinas continue providing environmentally friendly gateways 
to boating.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                              H. Res. 308

       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 13, 2005 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 
North Carolina (Mr. Coble) and the gentleman from California (Mr. 
Filner) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Coble).
  Mr. COBLE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, H. Res. 308 was introduced by the distinguished 
gentleman from Washington (Mr. Dicks) and cosponsored by the gentleman 
from Kentucky (Mr. Rogers) and the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Wamp).

                              {time}  1530

  This resolution recognizes August 13, 2005, as National Marina Day. 
This resolution acknowledges the significant contributions that marinas 
provide to so many of our local waterfront communities.
  There are over 12,000 marinas, Mr. Speaker, in the United States, and 
these facilities serve as a place where people who share a passion for 
the water can come together to enjoy our Nation's oceans, lakes and 
rivers. Marinas also serve as stewards of the environment and actively 
seek to protect the waterways that surround them.
  Many Members of this body represent districts in which recreational 
boating plays an important role in the lives of many of our 
constituents, and marinas provide an easy access point for citizens who 
wish to enjoy our Nation's coasts and waterways.
  This resolution highlights the importance of marinas and their role 
in promoting recreational boating and in connecting people to the 
water. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I 
thank my friend from North Carolina for managing this bill. We refer to 
him as the maitre d' of marinas in the House, so I thank the gentleman 
from North Carolina.
  Mr. COBLE. I thank the gentleman from California.
  Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, there are 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. This 
includes boat yards, yacht clubs, and public and private moorings 
across our country. Marinas in the United States provide employment for 
more than 140,000 of our citizens. But 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. This day is 
going to be celebrated from Maine to Florida; from Maryland to my 
hometown of San Diego, California.
  Marina owners are working closely, also, with the United States Coast 
Guard to step up vigilance at their facilities to improve security on 
our waterways. This includes being on the watch for any suspicious 
activities; attempts to gain access to vehicles without proper 
identification; looking out for any fixtures attached to structures; 
keeping an eye out for unusual diving operations; and watching out for 
vehicles and vessels in unusual locations.
  Mr. Speaker, it is fitting and appropriate for the 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 join us in supporting H. Res. 308 which 
recognizes our support for the goals of National Marina Day on August 
13, 2005.
  Mr. DICKS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 308, a bill 
supporting the goals of National Marina Day and urging marinas to 
continue providing environmentally friendly gateways to boating.
  On August 13, we will celebrate National Marina Day. This annual 
celebration promotes the United States' 12,000 marinas and offers local 
marina operators the opportunity to host educational 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 fact, as we debate this resolution today, Americans 
throughout the country are using their summer vacations to enjoy their 
own recreational boats or to charter time on professionally operated 
vessels.

[[Page 17175]]

  By serving as stewards of the environment, marina owners help protect 
our Nation's natural resources for generations to come. Marina 
operators and owners realize that the success of their industry relies 
in part on the health and beauty of their surroundings.
  In addition, 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. Marina 
owners are on the water every day and when something appears unusual 
they are able to alert the Coast Guard.
  Boating is an important pastime as well as a major business activity 
in my congressional district. From inside Puget Sound to the Pacific 
coast of Washington State and the Straits of Juan de Fuca, marinas 
provide access for recreational sailors and motor-powered cruising 
boats in addition to home ports for charter boats and commercial 
fishermen.
  Mr. Speaker, it is fitting for the U.S. House of Representatives to 
recognize the ongoing contribution of marina operators to our economy, 
our security, our environment, and most of all, for providing us with a 
way of enjoying a day on the water. I urge adoption of the resolution.
  Mr. BISHOP of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. 
Res. 308, a bill supporting the goals of National Marina Day, and 
urging that marinas continue providing environmentally friendly 
gateways to boating.
  In my district on Eastern Long Island, business associated with local 
marinas is important to vacationers and residents alike. The tourism 
and fishing industries are two of the most important contributing 
elements of the local economy, and marinas help these economic engines 
create much needed revenue throughout Brookhaven and the five East End 
Towns.
  There are more than 12,000 marinas nationally that benefit local 
communities by providing safe and reliable gateways to boating. The 
marinas of the United States serve as stewards of the environment, and 
they actively protect the waterways that surround them for current and 
future enjoyment.
  The Marina Operators Association of America has designated August 13, 
2005, as National Marina Day to increase awareness among citizens and 
elected officials about the many contributions that marinas make to 
communities, and it is important that Congress support this initiative.
  As vacationers throughout the country flock to the coasts for well-
deserved vacations, it is important that we recognize the significance 
of marinas. I'd therefore echo the Marina Operator's support for 
National Marina Day and urge my colleagues to do the same.
  Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. COBLE. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Kolbe). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Coble) that the House 
suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 308.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of 
those present have voted in the affirmative.
  Mr. COBLE. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.

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