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For Immediate Release
06/09/09
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Jena Longo - Democratic Deputy Communications Director 202.224.7824
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Chairman Rockefeller's Opening Remarks for Blue Economy Hearing
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Our oceans and coasts are sources of great economic and environmental wealth for the nation. Nearly 80 percent of U.S. import and export freight is transported through seaports. Our 3.4 million square mile Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), the largest in the world, covers an area greater than the entire United States.
The Blue Economy – jobs and economic opportunities that emerge from our oceans, Great Lakes, and coastal resources – generates more than 50 percent of our nation’s Gross Domestic Product and provides over 70 million jobs to Americans. Simply put, the economic health of America is undeniably linked to the riches of our oceans and coasts.
Today’s witnesses have compelling stories to tell us about the Blue Economy and its importance. From food to fuel, we rely on oceans for goods and services that drive the economy. America is on the cusp of major developments that could produce new “blue” jobs in renewable ocean energy development, aquaculture, marine drugs and products, and ocean exploration – I look forward to hearing from each individual here.
Before we begin, I want to take a moment to highlight what is, in my view, the most prominent threat to our Blue Economy – climate change. Climate change is acidifying the waters, warming oceans, and creating giant dead zones – jeopardizing the $111 billion commercial seafood industry and the promising development of new products from our oceans. Sea-level rise is threatening coastal communities and the maritime industries that provide millions of jobs.
There are key steps that we must take now to sustain and grow our nation’s blue economy.
We must strengthen the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). It is my strong hope that the Administration will commit to doubling the budget of NOAA by 2012. Currently, NOAA operates through more than 200 separate authorizations creating overlaps and disconnects among different parts of the agency. The U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy recommended that Congress establish an organic act for NOAA to codify its mission. I support this goal and look forward to working with my colleagues and the Administration to enact legislation establishing NOAA.
We also must look for new and innovative ways to plan for uses of our oceans and coasts that supports economic growth, protects ecological services and unique marine areas, and reduces conflicts among users.
Balancing use and protection of marine resources for current and future generations requires strong science-based management of our oceans and coasts, interagency coordination, and federal-state-local partnerships.
For this reason, I sent a letter to President Obama urging the Administration working through the Office of Science and Technology Policy, the Council of Environmental Quality, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to develop a comprehensive science-based federal marine planning framework to guide decisions on ocean use and conservation and to promote ecosystem-based management.
In closing I want to state very clearly – for those who live on our coasts and those who do not, like my state – we must all be a part of the effort to improve the health and well-being of our oceans. America’s economic growth and the livelihood of so many workers depend on the decisions we make now. What is good for the health of our coastal communities and oceans is good for the nation.
Thank you.
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7th - |
Chairman Rockefeller Applauds the Senate's Confirmation of Nominees
- WASHINGTON, D.C.—Senator John D (Jay) Rockefeller IV (D-WV), Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, issued the following statement today regarding the confirmation of:
Mr. Christopher P. Bertram, to be Assistant Secretary for Budget and Programs and Chief Financial Officer at the U.S. Department of Transportation
Ms. Patricia D. Cahill, to be a...
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7th - |
Chairman Rockefeller on "Cash for Clunkers"
- WASHINGTON, D.C.—Senator John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV (D-WV), Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, issued the following statement today regarding the Senate’s passage (60-37) of H.R. 3435, a bill making supplemental appropriations for FY2010 for the Consumer Assistance to Recycle and Save Program (“Cash for Clunkers”).
“I a...
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6th - |
Hearing Summary: Waste, Fraud and Abuse in the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program
- WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation held a full committee hearing today on Waste, Fraud and Abuse in the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program.
Witness List:
Mr. Alfred J. Longhi, Jr., former Vice President for Sales and Marketing, Lithium Power Technologies
Mr. Thomas J. Howard, Acting Inspector General, National Aeronautic...
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6th - |
Hearing Summary - Aviation Safety: The Relationship Between Network and Regional Airlines
- WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation held a subcommittee hearing today on Aviation Safety: The Relationship Between Network Airlines and Regional Airlines.
Witness List:
Mr. Philip H. Trenary, President and Chief Executive Officer, Pinnacle Airlines Corp.
Mr. Peter Bowler, President and Chief Executive Officer, American Eagle Airlines...
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5th - |
Executive Session: Committee Legislation Summary
- WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation held an Executive Session and favorably reported out the following legislation and nominees:
S. 1078, the AmericaView Geospatial Imagery Mapping Program Act
S. 30, the Truth in Caller ID Act of 2009
S. 251, the Safe Prisons Communications Act of 2009
S. 952, Harmful Algal Blooms and Hyp...
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5th - |
Hearing Summary: Nominations Hearing
- WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation held a full committee hearing today on nominations.
Witness List:
Mr. Dennis F. Hightower, to be Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Commerce
Mr. Robert S. Adler, to be a Commissioner of the Consumer Product Safety Commission
Ms. Anne M. Northup, to be a Commissioner of the Consumer Product...
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