Frank LoBiondo

Mr. LoBIONDO

Mr. LoBIONDO. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in very strong support of H.R. 5855. Earlier this year, the President requested to cut funding for the Coast Guard more than 4 percent below the current level. This was the first time in over a decade that a President has proposed to reduce funding for the Coast Guard. In his budget, the President proposed to slash the number of servicemembers by more than 1,000, which would shutter recruiting stations, take recently upgraded helicopters out of service and exacerbate the growing patrol boat mission-hour gap by retiring vessels before their replacements arrive. For acquisitions, the President proposed to slash the budget by more than $270 million, or 19 percent below the FY2012 enacted level. The request proposed to terminate or delay the acquisition of several critically needed replacement assets and eliminate funding to renovate derelict housing for servicemembers and their dependents. The cuts put forth by the Obama administration were simply unacceptable and I myself and, I think, a large number of Members were gravely concerned. As chairman of the Coast Guard's authorizing committee, I know how critical it is for us not to repeat the mistakes of the 1990s when misguided cuts to the service's operating and acquisitions budget left it entirely unprepared to meet the post-9/11 mission demand.

Mr. LoBIONDO. Fortunately, the bill before us today rejects the draconian cuts proposed by the President and ensures the Coast Guard is provided with the resources needed to carry out its critical missions. I want to especially thank Chairman Aderholt, Ranking Member Price, and their entire staff for recognizing the critical mission needs of the Coast Guard and accommodating those needs for the protection of America. I urge all Members to support the legislation.

Mr. LoBIONDO

Mr. LoBIONDO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a leader for her extraordinary service in the United States Coast Guard. Vice Admiral Sally Brice-O'Hara served our nation for nearly 38 years, and on May 18, she will retire as Vice Commandant of the Coast Guard. We all owe her a debt of gratitude for her tremendous commitment to service and to our country. As the 27th Vice Commandant of the Coast Guard, Vice Admiral Brice- O'Hara not only led over 57,000 active-duty, reserve and civilian members and 30,000 Coast Guard Auxiliary volunteers in executing all of the Coast Guard's maritime life-saving, law enforcement, environmental protection, ports and waterways security, and national defense operations world-wide, but she also served as the Chief Acquisition Executive responsible for guiding the Coast Guard through its critical, multi-billion dollar recapitalization program. Her leadership in driving the Service toward achieving the highest standards of professional conduct and competency, fiscal stewardship and public accountability led to the Coast Guard's first-ever qualified audit opinion, significant improvements in management of the Coast Guard's deployable specialized forces, and the implementation of numerous Service-wide aviation safety and training enhancements. Vice Admiral Brice-O'Hara's experience, foresight and commitment to serving her fellow Coast Guard men and women and the people of the United States can be seen in the many accomplishments she achieved throughout her service in the Coast Guard's most important and impactful leadership positions. As Deputy Commandant for Operations, Vice Admiral Brice-O'Hara implemented vital improvements to the Service's operations and mission support execution and coordination through their modernization and stabilization programs; the most significant organizational change initiatives in the Service's history. As Commander of the Fourteenth District, Vice Admiral Brice-O'Hara directed all Coast Guard operations in the Central Pacific encompassing an area of over 12 million square miles. Responsible for protecting U.S. economic and sovereign interests in this vital region, Vice Admiral Brice-O'Hara ensured the security of our exclusive economic zones, protected our natural resources, and represented U.S. interests to our international partners as the Deputy Commander for East Asia Pacific Engagement. Her other Flag Officer assignments include Director of Reserve and Training where she developed Coast Guard-wide recruiting, training and management of over 12,000 Coast Guard Ready Reservists, and oversaw all Coast Guard training facilities; and Director of Personnel Management, where she administering Coast Guard- wide human resource and workforce development programs. Vice Admiral Brice-O'Hara has also served in numerous command positions around the country including several which have had a direct and vital impact on the residents of Southern New Jersey and my Congressional District. As commander of the Fifth Coast Guard District, she directed Coast Guard operations along the mid-Atlantic and was responsible for protecting some of our Nation's most important economic sea ports and military infrastructure. She also oversaw response to the ATHOS I oil spill, the largest oil spill ever to affect the East Coast. Her dedicated leadership helped the Delaware Bay region recover quickly and avoid a lasting negative impact on the regions economy and Bay's sensitive ecosystem. She also served as Commanding Officer of the Coast Guard's only Recruit Training Command in Cape May, New Jersey where she ably prepared recruits for service in the Coast Guard. Finally, she served as Commanding Officer of the Cape May Boat Station, where she oversaw the safety and security of South Jersey's waterways and the search and rescue of hundreds of individuals. The conduct and leadership of Vice Admiral Brice-O'Hara's has been exemplary. She has been awarded the Homeland Security Distinguished Service Medal, the Distinguished Service Medal, five awards of the Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal, six awards of the Coast Guard Commendation Medal, the Coast Guard Achievement Medal, and the Commandant's Letter of Commendation. A native of Annapolis, Maryland, she graduated from Goucher College in 1974 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology and received her Coast Guard commission from Officer Candidate School in 1975. She holds a Master of Arts Degree in Public Administration from Harvard University, John F. Kennedy School of Government, where she was named a Littauer Fellow, and a Master of Science Degree in National Security Strategy from the National War College. Vice Admiral Brice-O'Hara and her husband Robert O'Hara, a retired Coast Guard officer, have two adult sons, Robert and Brice. Both as the Chairman of the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee and as a grateful citizen, I am honored today to recognize the extraordinary career and distinguished service of Vice Admiral Brice-O'Hara. On behalf of a grateful Nation, I thank her for her and her family's sacrifices over the past 37 years, and I wish her well as she retires from the Coast Guard.

Mr. LoBIONDO

Mr. LoBIONDO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a true leader for his extraordinary service in the United States Coast Guard, Vice Admiral (VADM) Brian M. Salerno. VADM Salerno served his country for 37 years in the Coast Guard and on June 5th, he will retire as the Deputy Commandant for Operations at Coast Guard Headquarters, a position he has held since May 2010. We all owe him a debt of gratitude for his commitment to service and to our country. As the Deputy Commandant for Operations, Vice Admiral Salerno oversaw policy development and strategic planning for all Coast Guard maritime safety, security and response operations. Assuming the duties as the Deputy Commandant for Operations shortly after the initial response to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, Vice Admiral Salerno was responsible for the Coast Guard's in-depth investigation and after action review of the incident, and directed implementation of numerous improvements to the Coast Guard's Spill of National Significance response and management protocols. He was also instrumental in establishing vital joint operating plans and processes, such as the Maritime Operations Coordination Plan, which greatly advanced the Department of Homeland Security's ``One-DHS'' initiative to increase the Nation's ability to respond to maritime threats. When Somalian pirates began attacking merchant vessels in the Gulf of Aden, Vice Admiral Salerno led the United States' efforts to establish internationally accepted and highly effective shipboard procedures to minimize the likelihood of a successful attack. These measures have proven essential to helping mariners and the shipping industry protect themselves and combat piracy while transiting in high-risk waters. Using his nearly four decades of experience working on some of the most complex maritime safety and security issues, Vice Admiral Salerno laid the foundation for the continued development of interagency, international, and industry partnerships that will prove increasingly more important to national security, sovereignty and prosperity as emerging threats and opportunities in the Arctic and other outer-continental shelf maritime activity increases. Vice Admiral Salerno was commissioned as an Ensign in December 1976 after attending Coast Guard Officer Candidate School. His assignments have predominantly been within the Coast Guard's marine safety program, where he commanded Coast Guard units in Boston, MA and San Juan, PR, and was responsible for carrying out vital Captain of the Port, Officer-in-Charge of Marine Inspection, Federal Maritime Security Coordinator, and Federal On-Scene Coordinator duties. His other field assignments include units in Baltimore, MD, Port Arthur, TX and Portland, ME as well as serving as the marine safety advisor to the Panama Canal Authority. Prior to assuming his current position, Vice Admiral Salerno was the Assistant Commandant for Marine Safety, Security and Stewardship and he also served as the Assistant Commandant for Policy and Planning and as the Director of Inspections and Compliance at Coast Guard Headquarters. Vice Admiral Salerno is a 2000 graduate of the U.S. Army War College, with a master's degree in Strategic Studies. He is also a graduate of the Naval War College and holds a master's degree in Management from the Johns Hopkins University. He is a licensed master of small passenger vessels. His personal military decorations include three Legion of Merit Medals, two Meritorious Service Medals, two Coast Guard Commendation Medals, and the Coast Guard Achievement Medal. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of my constituents and a grateful Nation, I ask all my distinguished colleagues to join me in recognizing the extraordinary career of Vice Admiral Brian M. Salerno. There are few opportunities for us to recognize the accomplishments of those who selflessly dedicate their lives to the service of our country, and having had the pleasure of working with Vice Admiral Salerno as the Chairman of the Coast Guard's oversight Subcommittee, I cannot thank him enough for everything he has done to protect our Nation's waters and the millions of Americans who live, work, and visit them every day.

Mr. LoBIONDO

Mr. LoBIONDO. Madam Speaker, I extend my deepest sympathy to the family of Congressman Donald Payne, who served New Jersey with distinction and honor for more than two decades. His leadership was welcomed and respected at home and in the Congress. His passion for civil rights and stewardship of the Congressional Black Caucus will always be remembered. My thoughts and prayers go out to the Payne family and the residents of the 10th district who lost a champion of their interests.

Mr. LoBIONDO

Mr. LoBIONDO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate the American Bureau of Shipping on its 150th anniversary. What today is known as the American Bureau of Shipping, or ABS, was originally founded by John Divine Jones as the American Shipmasters' Association. Through a legislative act by the State of New York, the Association was formally incorporated on April 22, 1862. From the time of its founding, ABS has been committed to its mission to promote the safety of life, property and the natural environment. To fulfill this mission, ABS has evolved into a global not-for-profit organization with more than 200 offices in 70 different countries. ABS published its first technical standards, Rules for Survey and Classing Wooden Vessels, in 1870. As the technology evolved, so too did ABS' rules. In 1890, ABS published its first version of the Rules for Building and Classing Steel Vessels. These Steel Vessel Rules continue to be revised and published annually, embodying the service, experience, and technological achievements accumulated since that first edition. With the passage of the Merchant Marine Act of 1920, ABS became the Agent of the United States Government on all matters of ship classification for government vessels. This led to ABS providing classification services for 2,710 Liberty Ships and 531 Victory Ships during World War II. This record of working side-by-side with our naval shipbuilders continues today as ABS provides classification-related services to a host of government vessels including the Navy's DDG-1000 and Littoral Combat Ships; the Coast Guard's Offshore Patrol Cutter and Fast Response Cutters; and NOAAs Oceanographic Research vessels. ABS also works with the Military Sealift Command and Maritime Administration Ready Reserve Force in support of our national sealift capabilities. ABS continues to be a leader in establishing technical standards for the commercial maritime industry as well. This longstanding technical experience has led to ABS providing over 3,000 inspections of commercial U.S.-flagged ships on behalf of the U.S. Coast Guard this past year. ABS has also provided guidance and support to the offshore energy industry for more than five decades. In recent years ABS has provided independent third party safety, security, and risk assessments to insurance, chemical, mining, nuclear power and renewable energy companies, as well as the U.S. Government. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join with me in congratulating ABS on its 150th anniversary and in recognizing ABS' significant service to the American marine and offshore industries and our sea services. As the Classification Society of the United States, ABS continues to serve today as a vanguard to mariners, public safety, and our natural environment.

Mr. LoBIONDO

Mr. LoBIONDO. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to take from the Speaker's table the bill (H.R. 3321) to facilitate the hosting in the United States of the 34th America's Cup by authorizing certain eligible vessels to participate in activities related to the competition, and for other purposes, with a Senate amendment thereto, and concur in the Senate amendment.

Mr. LoBIONDO

Mr. LoBIONDO. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, November 22, 2011; when the House adjourns on that day, it adjourn to meet at 1 p.m. on Friday, November 25, 2011; and when the House adjourns on that day, it adjourn to meet at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, November 29, 2011.

Mr. LoBIONDO

Mr. LoBIONDO. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that, during further consideration of H.R. 2838 in the Committee of the Whole pursuant to House Resolution 455, the amendment by Mr. Young of Alaska now at the desk be considered as though printed as the last amendment printed in the House Report 112-267 and be debatable for 10 minutes.

Mr. LoBIONDO. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 2838.

Mr. LoBIONDO. I thank the gentleman from coastal Louisiana. As we discussed previously, we will be very happy to work with the gentleman to see if we can't figure out a way to do this, and I thank him for his cooperative efforts.

Mr. LoBIONDO. Mr. Speaker, I reserve a point of order.

Mr. LoBIONDO. Mr. Speaker, I withdraw the point of order and claim the time in opposition.

Mr. LoBIONDO. Mr. Speaker, we've had a very bipartisan effort in coming to this point on this Coast Guard legislation in our subcommittee and in our full committee. And I must say I'm disappointed that, with all the cooperation and back and forth that we've had, this is an issue that's never been raised. But not withstanding that, bribery and kickbacks are illegal under any circumstances. This is redundant. It's already illegal to do these things. I urge everyone to vote ``no'' on the motion to recommit and ``yes'' on final passage. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. LoBIONDO

Mr. LoBIONDO. Mr. Chairman, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Gibbs).

Mr. LoBIONDO. Mr. Chairman, I claim the time in opposition.

Mr. LoBIONDO. I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. LaTourette).

Mr. LoBIONDO. Mr. Chairman, how much time remains?

Mr. LoBIONDO. I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. LaTourette).

Mr. LoBIONDO

Mr. LoBIONDO. I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise in very strong support of the rule which provides for consideration of H.R. 2838, the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2011. The bill will reauthorize the activities of the Coast Guard through fiscal year 2014. It includes critical provisions that will give the Coast Guard, its servicemembers, and dependents greater parity--something that is extremely important--with their counterparts in the Department of Defense. It includes language which will reform and improve Coast Guard administration and, very importantly, will save taxpayer dollars without impacting the service's critical missions. The bill also amends shipping laws to improve safety and foster job growth throughout the maritime sector. The bill also establishes a uniform national standard for the discharge of ballast water that is based on the most recent effective technology that is currently available. The standard also must be updated on a regular basis as technology improves. Under current law, the Coast Guard and EPA regulate ballast water, while every State and tribe is allowed to add their own requirements to these regulations. As a result, ships engaged in interstate and international commerce must comply with two Federal standards and 29 different State and tribal standards for water ballast release, many of which are contradictory and technologically unachievable. It's an impossible regulatory nightmare that threatens jobs and the economy. Mr. Speaker, I would like to insert into the Record a letter of support signed by 28 organizations representing the U.S. flag industry, our ports, farmers, steel manufacturers, the largest maritime unions in the country, and others. I urge all Members to support the rule and the underlying bill. September 22, 2011. Hon. John Mica, Chairman, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Hon. Frank LoBiondo, Chairman, Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Hon. Bob Gibbs, Chairman, Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Hon. Nick Rahall, Ranking Member, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Hon. Rick Larsen, Ranking Member, Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Hon. Tim Bishop, Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Messrs. Chairmen and Ranking Members: The undersigned organizations represent U.S. and international vessel owners and operators, industries that rely on marine vessels to transport essential cargoes in domestic and international commerce, and labor unions representing the men and women whose work keeps this vital segment of our economy moving. We write to express our strong support for H.R. 2840, the Commercial Vessel Discharges Reform Act of 2011, which will provide a uniform federal framework for the regulation of ballast water and other vessel discharges. Legislation to establish a consistent, practical, and science-based national program for the management of vessel discharges is urgently needed. The current statutory system is a confusing, duplicative, and inconsistent patchwork in which two federal agencies (the Coast Guard and EPA) and more than two dozen states regulate the same vessel discharges in overlapping and sometimes contradictory ways. The absence of a clear and effective federal framework for regulating vessel discharges constrains the movement of essential maritime commerce, jeopardizes American jobs, multiplies regulatory burdens on businesses and workers, puts the environment at risk and forces American taxpayers to foot the bill for duplicative and contradictory government programs. H.R. 2840 will fix this untenable situation and establish a clear and consistent framework for the regulation of vessel discharges that protects the economy and the environment. We respectfully urge its prompt passage. Thank you again for your leadership on this important issue. Sincerely, Thomas A. Allegretti, President & CEO, The American Waterways Operators; Captain Lee A. Kincaid, President, American Maritime Congress; Brenda Otterson, Legislative Consultant, American Maritime Officers Service; Joseph J. Cox, President & CEO, Chamber of Shipping of America; Barry Holliday, Executive Director, Dredging Contractors of America; Harold Daggett, President, International Longshoremen's Association; R. Andrew Riester, Executive Vice President, International Propeller Club of the United States. Kurt Nagle, President & CEO, American Association of Port Authorities; Thomas Bethel, National President, American Maritime Officers; Robin Rorick, Director of Marine and Security Operations, American Petroleum Institute; Christine Duffy, President & CEO, Cruise Lines International Association; Brian T. Petty, Executive Vice President- Government Affairs, International Association of Drilling Contractors; Captain Timothy A. Brown, President, International Organization of Masters, Mates & Pilots; Joseph J. Angelo, Managing Director, INTERTANKO. James H.I. Weakley, President, Lake Carriers' Association; C. James Patti, President, Maritime Institute for Research and Industrial Development (MIRAID); Joseph C. Curto, President, New York Shipping Association; John R. Groundwater, Executive Director, Passenger Vessel Association; Thomas Danjczek, President, Steel Manufacturers Association; Richard H. Hobbie III, President & CEO, Water Quality Insurance Syndicate. Christopher L. Koch, President & CEO, World Shipping Council; Mike Jewell, President, Marine Engineers' Beneficial Association; Kendell W. Keith, President, National Grain and Feed Association; Jim Adams, President/CEO, Offshore Marine Services Association; Mike Sacco, President, Seafarers International Union; James L. Henry, Chairman and President, Transportation Institute; and Catherine Reheis-Boyd, President, Western States Petroleum Association.

Mr. LoBIONDO

Mr. LoBIONDO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3321) to facilitate the hosting in the United States of the 34th America's Cup by authorizing certain eligible vessels to participate in activities related to the competition, and for other purposes.

Mr. LoBIONDO. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. LoBIONDO. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 3321.

Mr. LoBIONDO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. H.R. 3321 provides a limited waiver of domestic cabotage laws for vessels participating in America's Cup and related races. It also provides waivers of cabotage laws for several other vessels and clarifies that vessels carried on a movable dry dock in Alaska are not considered merchandise under chapter 551 of title 46. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LoBIONDO. I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Meehan).