Porter Goss: “too often the great role the men and women of our Coast Guard play in up keeping our national security is overshadowed…”

“too often the great role the men and women of our Coast Guard play in up keeping our national security is overshadowed by the larger Department of Defense. Certainly, their funding is insufficient and they are operating under conditions that hold them back from doing all they can do. By supporting this rule and the underlying legislation, we have the ability to recognize and aid the importance of the Coast Guard to our Nation's security and well being. Its responsibilities are varied and numerous ranging from protection of natural resources to search and rescue to stopping the drug trade at sea and more. Since 1790, the Coast Guard has been defending the United States in times of war. With the $300 million increase in operating expenses, the Coast Guard will be able to continue to support the armed services. This additional money, among other things, provides the needed fuel and maintenance to fully employ their cutters and planes to keep seafaring Americans safe on the open waters and fulfill myriad other missions. In fully utilizing the Coast Guard's resources and improving their assets, our shoreline and our Nation at large will be safer and the war on drugs will be fought even harder. Despite aging equipment and low funding levels, the Coast Guard has demonstrated its commitment to winning the war against drugs. In fact, in the first 6 months of 2001, over 60,000 pounds of cocaine has been seized.”