On the recordJune 24, 2010
I rise today to introduce the Coastal Jobs Creation Act of 2010. This bill would establish a grant program within the Department of Commerce to enhance employment opportunities for coastal communities by increasing support for cooperative research programs, revitalization of coastal infrastructure, and stewardship of coastal and marine resources. As Ranking Member of the Senate Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard, and as a Senator from a State which relies heavily on its coastal region as an economic driver, I am acutely aware of the hardships that have been visited on these areas in recent years. I particularly want to thank my lead cosponsor on this key piece of legislation, Senator Lautenberg. Clearly, his home State of New Jersey shares many of the same issues we face in Maine when it comes to ensuring the vitality of our historic fishing and coastal industries, and I greatly appreciate his support of this initiative. As our Nation struggles to recover from the ongoing recession, it is critical that we do all we can to create employment opportunities.
