Daniel Inouye: “the law of the land, specifically section 1 of the Merchant Marine Act of 1936, declares that the United States shall…”

“the law of the land, specifically section 1 of the Merchant Marine Act of 1936, declares that the United States shall have a merchant marine sufficient, among other things, to: Carry a substantial portion of our international waterborne Commerce; and to serve as a fourth arm of defense in time of war and national emergency. The importance of these requirements has been dramatically illustrated by the vital role of our merchant marine in World War II, Korea, Vietnam, during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, and most recently in Haiti. While the privately owned and operated U.S. flag merchant marine has performed so magnificently and effectively in times of crisis, it has also made extraordinary efforts to ensure that a substantial portion of commercial cargo bound to and from the United States moves on U.S. bottoms. Given the chronic overtonnaging in international shipping, cut-throat competition, and the competitive edge our trading partners give their national flags, this has not been easy. Nevertheless, if our commercial fleet is to continue to be an effective auxiliary in times of war or national emergency, it must first be commercially viable in times of peace.”