Eli Crane: “I rise to speak today, not on a matter that was addressed by H.R. 2204, the Coast Guard Authorization Act, but on one…”

“I rise to speak today, not on a matter that was addressed by H.R. 2204, the Coast Guard Authorization Act, but on one that was not addressed but should have been. Specifically, I refer to the ill-advised relocation, by the U.S. Coast Guard [USCG], of its helicopter rescue unit from Glenview, IL, to Muskegon, MI. The effect of that move, which was prompted by the decision to close the Glenview Naval Air Station, has been to increase, by about 30 minutes, the time it takes for a Coast Guard air rescue helicopter to reach the Chicago lakefront in the case of an emergency. Moreover, that rescue helicopter is now 15-20 minutes further removed from the area north of Chicago, an area featuring over 60 lakes and one of America's most popular recreational waterways, not to mention miles of Lake Michigan shoreline often frequented by boating enthusiasts. As a matter of fact, over 25,000 boating permits have been issued in the Fox River- Chain o' Lakes area of northeastern Illinois alone. Mr. Chairman, the significance of these figures is this. Thousands of people boating near, or flying over, one of the most heavily populated areas of America are at greater risk than they were a year ago.”