[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 7]
[House]
[Page 9536]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     MARITIME NATIONAL HERITAGE ACT

  (Mr. KILMER asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. KILMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to mark the end of Capitol Hill 
Ocean Week.
  In my region, the Pacific Ocean was and is central to Native American 
communities. It also gave rise to a proud maritime tradition along our 
coast. Entire industries sprang up and, for generations, folks have 
made a good living as fishermen, boat builders, dock workers, and 
servicemembers.
  The Pacific is a place teaming with a diverse life that we ought to 
protect for future generations. If we want to protect our natural 
resources for our children, it is time to cherish our past and protect 
our future.
  With that in mind, I will soon introduce the Maritime National 
Heritage Act. This legislation would designate the first and only 
heritage area in the country focused on maritime heritage. It would 
give Washington State greater access to resources to protect 
lighthouses, vessels, and other landmarks that contribute to the 
history and who we are in Washington State.
  This bill is a good way to remind folks what our oceans mean to us 
and why they are so vital.

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