[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 15]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 20596]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      SUPPORT FOR OUR COAST GUARD

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BOB FILNER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 15, 2005

  Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 889, the 
Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2005, and in strong 
support of the U.S. Coast Guard.
  Mr. Speaker, I have never been more proud of the men and women that 
serve in the United States Coast Guard. In the past 2 weeks, these 
valiant men and women have shown their dedication to our Nation. In the 
aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, the Coast Guard was the very first 
government entity to arrive. The Coast Guard is solely responsible for 
saving thousands of Americans from the destruction and flood waters 
brought by Hurricane Katrina.
  The Coast Guard, whose motto is Semper Paratus, always ready, was 
prepared to respond to this storm. Before levees ever broke, the Coast 
Guard was flying additional helicopters and extra aircrews to the Gulf 
region. Once the storm hit, the Coast Guard air and boat crews were 
operating 24 hours a day to save their fellow citizens.
  The best decision that the President has made in the past 2 weeks is 
to place Vice Admiral Thad Allen in charge of the emergency response to 
the Katrina disaster. To the Coast Guard, being prepared to respond to 
a disaster is not just a paper exercise to sit on the shelf when the 
big one comes. Responding to emergencies and tragedies is a part of the 
daily routine for the Coast Guard. By working to create relationships 
with State and local government officials, and those in the private 
sector, the Coast Guard has the resources to respond in times of 
crisis. To date, the Coast Guard has saved over 12,500 lives with their 
air resources, and in using boats or other surface transportation 
methods has saved over 11,500 lives. They have also evacuated over 
9,400 people to hospitals.
  And when the storm had passed, they remained on the scene helping to 
cleanup the mess and protect the environment. In New Orleans, they are 
coordinating the cleanup of 15 significant oil spills, and helping to 
coordinate the removal of sunken ships and barges.
  Mr. Speaker, the Coast Guard has responded with all of the resources 
at their command to the Katrina disaster. It is time for the House of 
Representatives to respond to the Coast Guard by ensuring they have the 
resources they need to carry out their missions in the coming year.
  Mr. Speaker, I am honored to have joined with my Committee Chairman, 
Mr. LoBiondo, in crafting language in this bill that not only provides 
the appropriations and authorizations for the Coast Guard, but more 
importantly, gives proper recognition and gratitude for their efficient 
response to the Hurricane disaster. Make no mistake of it, Mr. Speaker, 
while there was confusion and chaos, it was the Coast Guard that was 
there, on the ground saving lives.

                          ____________________