Daniel Akaka: “as we contend with the threats of global terrorism and our national sorrow in the aftermath of September 11th, we must…”

“as we contend with the threats of global terrorism and our national sorrow in the aftermath of September 11th, we must focus on the accomplishments, ideals, and spirit that make America great and look to the future with a renewed sense of resolve and hope. As we engaged in exploring the American continent in the 19th century, and the far reaches of space in the 20th century, we must welcome, in this new century, the challenge of exploring our oceans, the last uncharted frontier. Oceans make up 70 percent of the earth's surface, yet we have characterized less than ten percent of the United States' Exclusive Economic Zone. Within our EEZ, the United States has jurisdiction over more submerged lands than terrestrial lands. Newly charted research voyages and state-of-the-art underwater technology give us the tools we need to make new discoveries to aid us in better understanding this underwater world. My focus on ocean exploration is timely because the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration celebrated the culmination of two voyages of discovery in Charleston, South Carolina, on October 1, 2001.”