C. A. Dutch Ruppersberger: “I rise today to support America's Coast Guard, and that is why I intend to support the conference report for H.R. 2443…”

“I rise today to support America's Coast Guard, and that is why I intend to support the conference report for H.R. 2443, the Coast Guard Authorization Act. I represent Maryland's Second Congressional District, which includes both the Port of Baltimore and the Coast Guard Yard. So while I applaud attempts to provide adequate funding for the Coast Guard and its mission to protect America's shorelines, I am disappointed that this conference report does not provide any language to protect the critical role and mission that the Baltimore Coast Guard Yard serves. The Baltimore Coast Guard Yard is a unique and indispensable asset to this Nation and the Coast Guard itself. For over a century it has served as the service's sole ship construction and major repair facility. It is an essential part of the Coast Guard's core of industrial support base and supplier of depot-level services. In the wake of the September 11 attack on America and the intensity of the national Coast Guard homeland security response, the yard capabilities and skill allowed the Coast Guard to sustain critical readiness for the fleet and our Nation.”