[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 1]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 1426]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




     RECOGNIZING THE BIRTH OF THE MODERN UNITED STATES COAST GUARD

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BRADLEY BYRNE

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 28, 2015

  Mr. BYRNE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to highlight an important 
occasion, the creation of the modern-day United States Coast Guard 
(USCG). The important designation was made official by President 
Woodrow Wilson on January 28, 1915, when he signed into law the ``Act 
to Create the Coast Guard,'' merging the Revenue Cutter Service with 
the U.S. Life-Saving Service.
  The origins of the present-day Coast Guard can be traced back to 
August 4, 1790, when President George Washington signed the Tariff Act 
to empower ten United States ships to enforce trade laws and reduce 
smuggling. The USCG is one of the oldest organizations of the federal 
government and was the only armed force patrolling the seas until the 
Navy Department was established in 1798.
  Over its long and storied history, the USCG has acquired various 
responsibilities from maintaining the country's tools for maritime 
navigation to handling merchant marine licensing and merchant vessel 
safety. Additionally, the USCG is the nation's frontline of defense 
from threats at sea and is dedicated to saving lives, one of its most 
important functions.
  Mr. Speaker, I come from an area that truly understands the important 
work the Coast Guard does on a daily basis. Mobile, Alabama, located in 
my Congressional district, is home to the Guard Aviation Training 
Center and also the USCG Sector Mobile Base. The Aviation Center acts 
as the Coast Guard's aviation and capabilities development center and 
also conducts traditional Coast Guard air station missions including 
search and rescue, homeland security, and environmental protection.
  I am proud of all the brave men and women who serve in this essential 
organization, and I encourage all Americans to take some time to 
reflect on the sacrifices these people have made for our great country.

                          ____________________