[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 1]
[Senate]
[Page 1044]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                 HONORING THE UNITED STATES COAST GUARD

  Mr. REID. I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to S. Res. 
429.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 429) honoring the brave men and women 
     of the United States Coast Guard whose tireless work, 
     dedication, and commitment to protecting the United States 
     have led to the confiscation of over 350,000 pounds of 
     cocaine at sea during 2007.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I watch The Weather Channel sometimes, and 
they have these pieces on what the Coast Guard does in violent seas. 
The Chair, being from Rhode Island, probably doesn't appreciate it as 
much as I do, being from the desert, but the Coast Guard rides some 
rough seas. So they are entitled to this resolution tonight.
  I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to, the 
preamble be agreed to, and the motions to reconsider be laid on the 
table.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 429) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                              S. Res. 429

       Whereas the estimated import value of the 350,000 pounds of 
     cocaine confiscated by the United States Coast Guard in 2007 
     is more than $4,700,000,000, or nearly \1/2\ of the Coast 
     Guard's annual budget;
       Whereas the Coast Guard's at-sea drug interdictions are 
     making a difference in the lives of United States citizens, 
     as evidenced by the reduced supply of cocaine in more than 35 
     major cities throughout the United States;
       Whereas keeping illegal drugs from reaching our shores, 
     where they undermine American values and threaten families, 
     schools, and communities, continues to be an important 
     national priority;
       Whereas, through robust interagency teamwork, collaboration 
     with international partners, and ever more effective tools 
     and tactics, the Coast Guard has removed more than 2,000,000 
     pounds of cocaine during the past 10 years and will continue 
     to tighten the web of detection and interdiction at sea; and
       Whereas the men and women of the Coast Guard who, while 
     away from family and hundreds of miles from our shores, 
     execute this dangerous mission, as well as other vital 
     maritime safety, security, and environmental protection 
     missions, with quiet dedication and without need of public 
     recognition, continue to display selfless service in 
     protecting the Nation and the American people: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) honors the United States Coast Guard, with its proud 
     217-year legacy of maritime law enforcement and border 
     protection, along with the brave men and women whose efforts 
     clearly demonstrate the honor, respect, and devotion to duty 
     that ensure the parents of the United States can sleep 
     soundly knowing the Coast Guard is on patrol; and
       (2) recognizes the tireless work, dedication, and 
     commitment that have allowed the Coast Guard to confiscate 
     over 350,000 pounds of cocaine at sea in 2007.

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