Barbara Mikulski: “I inserted a provision in this legislation to prohibit our government from sending our great Navy ships overseas--where…”

“I inserted a provision in this legislation to prohibit our government from sending our great Navy ships overseas--where they are dismembered in a dangerous, irresponsible and immoral manner. The export of misery and the exploitation of workers is beneath the dignity and honor of our nation. With the end of the Cold War the number of ships to be disposed of in the military arsenal is growing. There are 180 Navy and Maritime Administration ships waiting to be scrapped. These ships are difficult and dangerous to dismantle. They usually contain asbestos, PCB's and lead paint. They were built long before we understood all the environmental hazards associated with these materials. This issue was brought to my attention by a Pulitzer Prize-winning series of articles that appeared in the Sun written by reporters Gary Cohn and Will Englund. They conducted a thorough and rigorous investigation of the way we dispose of our Navy and maritime ships. Mr. President, I must advise that the way we do this is not being done in an honorable, environmentally sensitive, or efficient way. I believe when we have ships that have defended the United States of America, that they were floating military bases--and they should be retired with the same care and dignity with which we close a military base.”