AS MANY OF YOU HAVE HEARD ME SAY BEFORE, ALASKA HAS NEARLY HALF THE COASTLINE OF THE UNITED STATES AND THE MISSIONS OF THE  U.S. COAST GUARD IN ALASKA ARE CRITICAL TO THE SAFETY AND SECURITY OF OUR NATION.

 

THIS PAST YEAR THE COAST GUARD CELEBRATED ITS ONE MILLIONTH LIFE SAVED, AND I WAS HONORED TO HAVE A CHANCE TO MEET WITH ONE OF YOUR RESCUE SWIMMERS – KODIAK BASED PETTY OFFICER WILL MILAM (“MY-LIM”) LAST MONTH. I BELIEVE HIS COURAGE AND DEDICATION PERSONIFIES THE CORE VALUES OF OUR COAST GUARD. 

AS THE MISSIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE COAST GUARD GROW, THE SIZE OF THE SERVICE HAS REMAINED BASICALLY UNCHANGED AND YOUR FLEET HAS BEEN PUSHED WELL BEYOND ITS SERVICE LIFE.  I WAS PLEASED TO SEE YOUR BUDGET REQUESTED FUNDING TO KEEP THE DEEPWATER PROGRAM ON TRACK, BUT I ALSO BELIEVE THAT WE MUST FIND THE MEANS FOR THE COAST GUARD TO MAINTAIN ITS OPERATIONAL CAPABILITIES UNTIL THOSE NEW VESSELS AND AIRCRAFT ARE ON LINE. 

I REALIZE THAT KEEPING SOME OF YOUR OLDER VESSELS OPERATING IS DIFFICULT, BUT THE OPERATIONAL GAP CREATED BY TAKING THEM OUT OF SERVICE IS SIMPLY TOO LARGE.

 

I AM ALSO CONCERNED ABOUT THE STATE OF OUR POLAR ICE BREAKER FLEET.  WE ARE ENTERING AN AGE WHERE A FEDERAL PRESENCE IN THE ARCTIC IS CRUCIAL TO PROTECTING OUR INTERESTS AND SUPPORTING SCIENCTIFIC RESEARCH.  I AM NOT CONVINCED THAT THE FUNDING MECHANISM WE HAVE ESTABLISHED BETWEEN THE NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION AND THE COAST GUARD ADEQUATELY ADDRESSES OUR NEEDS.  THE FACT THAT THERE IS NOTHING IN YOUR BUDGET TO ADDRESS THE CONDITION OF OUR POLAR ICE BREAKER SUPPORTS THIS CONCERN.