[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 8]
[House]
[Pages 10762-10763]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING THE COAST GUARD, COAST GUARD AUXILIARY AND NATIONAL SAFE 
BOATING COUNCIL FOR THEIR EFFORTS TO PROMOTE NATIONAL SAFE BOATING WEEK

  Mr. GILCHREST. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the resolution (H. Res. 243) recognizing the Coast Guard, the Coast 
Guard Auxiliary and the National Safe Boating Council for their efforts 
to promote National Safe Boating Week.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                              H. Res. 243

       Whereas recreational boating is one of our Nation's most 
     popular pastimes, with an estimated 78,000,000 recreational 
     boaters in the United States and nearly 13,000,000 
     recreational vessels registered;
       Whereas the number of recreational boating fatalities has 
     declined by more than half since 1970, thanks to the 
     increased use of life jackets, cooperative boating safety 
     education, enforcement efforts between the Coast Guard and 
     State governments, and safer vessels and equipment 
     manufactured in accordance with Coast Guard standards;
       Whereas recreational boating accidents have nevertheless 
     claimed the lives of 703 Americans in 2003, more than half of 
     whose lives could have been saved with the proper use of a 
     personal flotation device;
       Whereas a continued emphasis on accident prevention can 
     reduce recreational boating fatalities still further, and in 
     particular deaths by drowning, which remain the leading cause 
     of recreational boating fatalities; and
       Whereas the National Safe Boating Council, with the support 
     of the Coast Guard and the Coast Guard Auxiliary, has 
     proposed designating the week of May 21 through 27, 2005, as 
     National Safe Boating Week: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) supports initiatives for recreational boating safety 
     education and accident prevention to minimize the number of 
     annual recreational boating fatalities;
       (2) recognizes the Coast Guard, the Coast Guard Auxiliary, 
     and the National Safe Boating Council for their efforts each 
     year during May to highlight the importance of safe 
     recreational boating; and
       (3) supports the goals of National Safe Boating Week.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Maryland (Mr. Gilchrest) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Filner) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Gilchrest).
  Mr. GILCHREST. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, H. Res. 243 was introduced by my colleagues, the 
gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Cooper) and the gentleman from Florida 
(Mr. Shaw), and recognizes the work of the Coast Guard, the Coast Guard 
Auxiliary, and the National Safe Boating Council in promoting boat 
safety.
  I represent a district in which recreational boating plays a huge 
role in the lives of many of my constituents. Sailors, waters sports 
enthusiasts, and fishermen enjoy recreational boating on the Chesapeake 
Bay and the ocean side of my district.
  Recreational boating is one of the Nation's most popular pastimes, 
and while the number of recreational boating fatalities has declined by 
more than half since 1970, many lives are still lost each year. More 
than half of these lives could be saved with the proper use of boating 
safety equipment. This resolution highlights the importance of safe 
recreational boating, and I urge my colleagues to support it.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I, too, represent an area where boating is a very 
important recreational activity, representing San Diego, California, 
with its wonderful bay, Mission Bay Park, and, of course, the Pacific 
Ocean, all as places where tens of thousands of people do their 
recreation; so I also support House Resolution 243.
  This is National Safe Boating Week. Over 70 million people this year 
will participate in recreational boating activities in the United 
States. Unfortunately, about 700 of them will die from boating 
accidents. National Safe Boating Week is always the week before the 
Memorial day weekend, the start of the summer boating season. The goal 
this week is to educate the public about what they can do to enjoy our 
Nation's waters in a safe manner. In my State of California, two-thirds 
of the deaths

[[Page 10763]]

from recreational boating accidents will occur during these summers 
months.
  Mr. Speaker, safe boating begins before you even step in a boat by 
planning your trip and being safety conscious. The most important thing 
a boater can do to save their life is to wear a life jacket. That 
sounds simple; but in 2003, 416 boaters were drowned while not wearing 
their life jackets. Today there are Coast Guard-approved life jackets 
that are inflatable so you can easily sail and still be safe.
  Just as in driving a car, alcohol and boating do not mix. Do not 
drink and drive in a boat.
  Today there are over 17 million boats in our Nation's waterways. It 
is getting crowded, so everybody should know and follow the nautical 
rules of the road. If you are in a small boat, do not stand up. You 
could flip your boat, sending you and your family into the water.
  Mr. Speaker, these are simple, but they are a few of the basic tips 
that people should follow to have a safe and enjoyable time when they 
are boating.
  The Coast Guard, the Coast Guard Auxiliary, and the National Safe 
Boating Council have boating safety education programs to help everyone 
learn how to boat safely. I encourage everyone to take advantage of 
these courses. If you follow their simple guidelines, you can have a 
fun and relaxing time while being as safe as possible.
  Mr. Speaker, I strongly urge my colleagues to join us in support of 
House Resolution 243.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. GILCHREST. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman for sponsoring this piece 
of legislation as well. I would like to reiterate some of the comments 
that the gentleman made about boat safety, and that is when you get in 
a boat, it is like getting in a car. Do not drink and drive; do not 
drink and boat. Snap your safety belt in the car; put your life jacket 
on in the boat. Respect the people in your boat and respect other 
people in their boats; and respect the ecosystem that you are now 
treading on.
  When you go out in a boat, enjoy yourself, enjoy the people that you 
are around, and enjoy the pristine nature of that particular 
environment. Boat Safety Week hopes to motivate people to understand 
the nature of their responsibility when they step in a boat, whether it 
is one with a big, powerful engine; whether it is a small motor boat; 
or I would recommend you try a kayak and canoe.
  Of course, wear your life jacket regardless, respect yourself, 
respect your passengers, respect other boaters, and respect the 
pristine nature of the water.
  Mr. BISHOP of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. 
Res. 243, a bill recognizing the Coast Guard, the Coast Guard 
Auxiliary, and the National Safe Boating Council for their efforts to 
promote National Safe Boating Week.
  In my district on eastern Long Island, water safety is of paramount 
concern to residents, vacationers, and the tourism industry--one of the 
most important contributing elements of the local economy, which 
includes pleasure and commercial boating.
  I commend the men and women of the Coast Guard, the Coast Guard 
Auxiliary, and the National Safe Boating Council for their steadfast 
dedication to protecting boaters throughout the country. As we approach 
Memorial Day, kicking off the summer, we recognize National Safe 
Boating Week to encourage American boaters to be safe on the water and 
to promote the use of personal flotation devices (PFDs).
  It is important to highlight the progress made to safeguard boating 
enthusiasts in recent years, particularly with more than 13 million 
watercraft registered in the U.S., a number that continues to 
skyrocket. Even with the ever-increasing number of people enjoying the 
water, there are fewer fatalities on the sea. This is in no small part 
due to the diligence of hard-working groups like the National Safe 
Boating Council and the selfless, intrepid men and women of the Coast 
Guard.
  As vacationers throughout the country head for the coasts, it is our 
responsibility to encourage caution. I echo the National Safe Boating 
Council's important message urging all Americans to be safe on the 
water while they enjoy their family vacations this summer.
  Mr. SHAW. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and support the 
efforts of the United States Coast Guard, the Coast Guard Auxiliary, 
and the National Safe Boating Council as they coordinate yet another 
successful National Safe Boating Week, May 21-27, 2005.
  In 2003, an estimated 78 million Americans enjoyed recreational 
boating on the approximately 13 million recreational vessels registered 
throughout the nation. Boating has truly become a treasured piece of 
American culture.
  Thanks to the efforts of many, boating is becoming safer as it grows 
more popular. Boating fatalities have been cut in half since the 1970's 
due to increased boater education, more widespread use of life vests, 
and safer boating equipment.
  Nonetheless, we have much work to do. In 2003, 703 Americans died in 
boating-related accidents. Sadly, half of these deaths could have been 
prevented had proper flotation devices been used.
  I have co-sponsored, along with Representative Jim Cooper and 
Representative Gene Taylor, House Resolution 243, which aims at 
increasing boating safety education and accident prevention and 
supports the goals of National Safe Boating Week. As Co-Founder and Co-
Chairman of the Congressional Boating Caucus, I certainly understand 
the importance of these issues on recreational boaters.
  Mr. Speaker, the upcoming Memorial Day holiday marks the unofficial 
start of the summer boating season in south Florida. As such, we must 
continue to support boating education and awareness so that our waters 
can be a fun and, above all, safe place for all Americans to enjoy.
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I wish to express my support of H.R. 
243, and to recognize the Coast Guard, the Coast Guard Auxiliary, and 
the National Safe Boating Council for their efforts to promote National 
Safe Boating Week.
  I represent Florida's 18th District, and a large portion of my 
congressional district is surrounded by water. To many of my 
constituents, and to many Floridians, boating is a way of life. 
National Safe Boating Week reminds us that even the most experienced 
boater must always be attentive and vigilant to prevent accidents that 
hurt or kill thousands of Americans each year. The National Safe 
Boating Council deserves our thanks for its public education efforts.
  The Coast Guard's mission is not limited to our home waters. Numerous 
Coast Guard vessels are deployed to U.S. Central Command in support of 
Operation Iraqi Freedom, including two 110-foot patrol boats from south 
Florida--the USCGC Baranof and the USCGC Maui, each with 22 personnel 
aboard--are currently deployed in Bahrain and patrol in the North 
Arabian Gulf.
  I join the citizens of south Florida in saluting the bravery and 
dedication of the men and women serving in the United States Coast 
Guard who are keeping the American people safe and who are defending 
our freedom both at home and abroad.
  Mr. GILCHREST. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, I yield back 
the balance of my time, and urge the adoption of this resolution.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Gilchrest) that the House suspend the 
rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 243.
  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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