[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 15]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 21070]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




PROCLAMATION HONORING THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE NATIONAL GEOSPATIAL-
              INTELLIGENCE AGENCY'S BROADCAST WARNING DESK

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                         HON. CHRIS VAN HOLLEN

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 26, 2007

  Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Madam Speaker, August 19, 2007, will mark 100 years 
since the U.S. Navy Hydrographic Office issued its first broadcast of a 
navigational warning. This event began its mission of broadcasting 
information concerning hazards to navigation to ships at sea during an 
age when limited communication methods and the lack of an international 
system made receiving this information difficult. In recognition of 
this 100th anniversary of broadcasting safety of navigation 
information, we honor all who have contributed to broadcasting maritime 
safety information.
  On April 14, 1912, the sinking of the Titanic focused the world's 
attention on navigation safety at sea. Following this tragedy, an 
international committee was formed to which the U.S. Navy Hydrographic 
Office became a major contributor. This committee monitored ice 
conditions along the major Europe-to-America shipping routes, 
established specific lifeboat capacity for passengers, and most 
importantly, mandated that all vessels at sea maintain a 24-hour radio 
watch. In 1921, the U.S. Navy Hydrographic Office began broadcasting 
navigational safety warnings worldwide for all commercial and military 
shipping.
  In 1977, the International Hydrographic Organization and the 
International Maritime Organization established the World-Wide 
Navigational Warning Service, WWNWS, to coordinate global radio 
broadcast service for information about hazards to navigation that 
might endanger international shipping. The WWNWS divided the world into 
16 Navigation Warning Areas. The United States has been designated the 
coordinator for the two areas along the Atlantic and Pacific Coast. As 
the responsible WWNWS coordinator on behalf of the United States, the 
National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, NGA, headquartered in 
Bethesda, MD, annually processes over 130,000 messages, guaranteeing 
the continuous operation of the WWNWS for the world's ships.
  On this 100th anniversary, we recognize the importance of maritime 
safety information and the NGA for supporting safety of life at sea 
through the broadcast of navigational warnings. We also recognize the 
men and women of the NGA who carry on this legacy today.

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