Charles Skelton: “events are once again turning the world's eyes to the Pacific. Indonesia continues to be unsettled. North Korea is…”

“events are once again turning the world's eyes to the Pacific. Indonesia continues to be unsettled. North Korea is abandoning its move towards conciliation. And every American is aware of the provocative actions recently undertaken by China in holding 24 Americans captive. Secretary Rumsfeld has stated that this administration will put a new emphasis on the Pacific. That is wise. But to carry out that intention across such a broad expanse of water will require ships. Demand for naval forces has not gone away with the Cold War; it has increased. Yet, at current build rates, the overall fleet will sink below 300 ships before the decade is out, on a course for Davy Jones' locker. We are already missing missions today. How dire will the situation be with a 200-ship fleet? I am not much given to dramatic statements, Mr. Speaker, but let me say this clearly: America should rebuild its Navy, and we should begin now. To rebuild requires far more than simply stabilizing the size of the fleet. The Navy does not get anywhere by treading water. Instead, we have to reverse the trend in shipbuilding.”