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For Immediate Release
06/09/09
Contact: |
Jena Longo - Democratic Deputy Communications Director 202.224.7824
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Hearing Summary: The Blue Economy: The Role of the Oceans in Our Nation’s Economic Future
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WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation held a subcommittee hearing today on The Blue Economy: The Role of the Oceans in our Nation’s Economic Future.
Witness List:
Dr. Judith T. Kildow, Social Scientist, Director, National Oceans Economics Program, Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute
Ms. Alexandra Cousteau, Founder and President, Blue Legacy International
Dr. William Fenical, Ph.D., Director, Center for Marine Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California
Mr. Brad Warren, Director of Ocean Health, Sustainable Fisheries Partnership, Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Seattle Office
The Honorable Deerin Babb-Brott, Assistant Secretary for Oceans and Coastal Zone Management, Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, State of Massachusetts
Dr. Willett M. Kempton, Associate Professor, Marine Policy, University of Delaware
Key Quotes:
“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.”
Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV
"The 'Blue Economy' is one of the main tools to rebuilding the U.S. economy, but it faces an uncertain future. It has been a foundation of our economy for centuries, and it holds tremendous potential to be a growing economic generator for our future."
Senator Maria Cantwell, Chairwoman of U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard
“I would like to make three points in my testimony: First, jobs and businesses generated by the coastal and ocean economies are foundations of the U.S. economy. Second, coastal and ocean economies will power the nation’s economic recovery. Third, the deleterious effects of climate change will adversely affect the continuing growth of these important economies unless we taken action to curb greenhouse gasses soon.”
Dr. Judith T. Kildow, Social Scientist, Director, National Oceans Economics Program, Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute
“If we are to take ocean policy seriously, we need to take it onto the land. We must start to realize that there can be no stand alone policies, especially as they relate to our water resources. Energy, transportation, climate change, infrastructure, agriculture, urban development: this is where our ocean policies must begin. It is all interconnected.”
Ms. Alexandra Cousteau, Founder and President, Blue Legacy International
“While the economics of pharmaceutical sales is huge, the positive benefits on human health must be underscored. More than ever, difficult diseases are treated with the latest pharmaceutical discoveries. Diseases once considered fatal, are not treatable and often curable. There is no question that the discovery and development of new drugs is one of our most important societal goals.”
Dr. William Fenical, Ph.D., Distinguished Professor of Oceanography and Pharmaceutical Science, Scripps Institution of Oceanography
“Worldwide, marine fisheries provide the primary source of income and food for hundreds of millions of people. FAO and other international resource agencies estimated this year that 3 billion people rely on the ocean for essential nutrition. About 400 million people in poor countries get half or more of their animal protein and minerals from seafood. Another 500 million people in developing counties earn a living from fisheries and aquaculture.”
Mr. Brad Warren, Director of Ocean Health, Sustainable Fisheries Partnership
“Human society benefits greatly from the uses, goods, and services provided by estuarine and marine ecosystems, but our activities—both in the ocean, along its coasts, and on adjacent land and watersheds—are also having detrimental effects on these same systems, their components and processes. Rapid climate change, habitat loss and changes, pollution, and spread of invasive species are just some of the threats and stressors which are jeopardizing these ecosystems and the human services they provide.”
The Honorable Deerin Babb-Brott, Assistant Secretary of Oceans and Coastal Zone Management, Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs
“A GW is 1,000,000,000 watts, the size of one of the largest nuclear or coal plants, and GWa (“a” for “average”) is a fluctuating amount with an average at one GW. For scale, one watt runs an iPod. One to two thousand watts runs an average house. A little over one GWa runs Delaware. 419 GWa runs the United States. By the estimate below, the US offshore wind resource is 450 GWa. I make a more detailed regional estimate below.”
Dr. Willett M. Kempton, Associate Professor, Marine Policy, University of Delaware
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29th - |
Chairman Rockefeller Calls for Safe and Secure Disposal of Sensitive Consumer Information
- Washington, D.C. - Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV (D-WV) sent a letter to the Acting Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) calling for the safe and appropriate disposal of sensitive consumer information collected through Verified Identity Pass, Inc.’s (VIP) Clear program. This comes after ...
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26th - |
Chairman Rockefeller Statement on Nominees Confirmed
- WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator John D (Jay) Rockefeller IV (D-WV), Chairman of the U.S. Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, issued the following statement regarding the U.S. Senate’s vote to confirm Mr. Julius Genachowski to be Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, Mr. Robert C. McDowell, confirmed to be Commissioner of the Federal Communications Commission, and Mr. L...
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24th - |
Hearing Summary: Consumer Choices and Transparency in the Health Insurance Industry
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WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation held a full committee hearing on Consumer Choices and Transparency in the Health Insurance Industry.
Witness List
Wendell Potter, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Health Insurance Industry Insider
Nancy Metcalf, Senior Program Editor, Consumer Reports
Karen Pollitz, Research Professor, Georgetown Uni...
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24th - |
SENATE COMMERCE COMMITTEE RELEASES INVESTIGATIVE STAFF REPORT
- Washington, D.C.—Today, Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV (D-WV) announces the release of an investigative staff report, Underpayments to Consumers by the Health Insurance Industry.
Please see the staff report and supplemental documents below.
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22nd - |
Chairman Rockefeller Statement on Travel Promotion Act
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV issued the following statement after Senate Republicans blocked (on a 53-34 vote) a travel promotion bill from being considered in the Senate.
“At a time when Americans continue to endure the most significant economic downturn since the Great Depression, the...
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22nd - |
Chairman Rockefeller and Senator Boxer Request Rail Safety Funding
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Washington, D.C. – Today, Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV (D-WV) and U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) wrote to a key Senate Committee and requested at least $50 million in funding for a new railroad safety technology grant program, created by the Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008.
This grant program provide...
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18th - |
Hearing Summary: Freight Transportation In America: Options For Improving The Nation’s Network
- WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation held the following subcommittee hearing on Freight Transportation in America: Options for Improving the Nation’s Network.
Witness List
Mr. Richard Roper, Director, Planning Department, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey
Mr. Matt Rose, Commissioner, National Surface Transportation Policy a...
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18th - |
Chairman Rockefeller Statement on FCC Nominations
- WASHINGTON D.C. - Today the U.S. Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee conducted an off the floor markup. Chairman Rockefeller issued the following statement on his vote on the FCC nominees:
“Julius Genachowski has my resounding support. He offers the public and private sector experience needed to reinvigorate the FCC and put consumers first. From the content that gets ...
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18th - |
Commerce Committee Approves Nominees
- WASHINGTON D.C. - Today the U.S. Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee conducted an off the floor markup on the nominations of:
• Ms. Inez M. Tenenbaum: To be Chairman and Commissioner of the United States Consumer
Product Safety Commission
• Mr. Julius Genachowski: To be Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission
• M...
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17th - |
Chairman Rockefeller Applauds President Obama’s Financial Proposal
- Washington, D.C.—Senator John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV, Chairman of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, applauded President Obama’s new financial regulation plan that will protect consumers by imposing stricter government oversight of the financial services system.
“In the Senate Commerce Committee, I held my very first hearing as Chairman on consumer p...
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17th - |
Hearing Summary: The Consumer Wireless Experience
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation held a full committee hearing today on The Consumer Wireless Experience.
Witness List:
Panel I
Mr. Mark Goldstein, Director, Physical Infrastructure Issues, United States Government Accountability Office
Panel II
Mr. John E. Rooney, President and Chief Executive Officer, U.S. Cellular Co...
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17th - |
Chairman Rockefeller Introduces Bill To Protect Public Access To Key Information During Emergencies
- Washington, D.C. – In an effort to ensure the public has access to key information during local industrial accidents or emergencies like the Bayer CropScience explosion in Institute, West Virginia last year, Senator Jay Rockefeller, Chairman of the U.S. Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, introduced legislation that will clarify federal laws regarding the release of certa...
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16th - |
Chairman Rockefeller's Opening Remarks at the CPSC Nomination Hearing
Washington, D.C. - The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is the most important line of defense between consumers and dangerous products.
Families trust you to keep them safe. Parents look to you to help protect their children from dangerous products.
Unfortunately, the CPSC has suffered from years of budget cuts and poor leadership decisions that worked at cross-purposes with its mission.
That...
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16th - |
Chairman Rockefeller's Opening Remarks at FCC Nominations Hearing
Washington, D.C. - Communications technology is at the pulsing center of our new economy.
For our nation to meet the challenges we face in education, health care, the environment, and to remain globally competitive, we will require top-notch communications infrastructure.
Because good communications policy will lay the foundation for these noble goals, we need real expertise at the Federal Communications...
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16th - |
Senate Commerce Committee Receives Requested Responses From GM and Chrysler
- Washington, D.C. – Members of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee last week sent letters to the President of Chrysler and CEO of General Motors requesting responses on a number of issues regarding consumer, dealer and worker protections. The Committee received a response this week from both companies and Committee Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV issued the follow...
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16th - |
Hearing and Witness List Advisory: The Consumer Wireless Experience
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announces the following full committee hearing:
The Consumer Wireless Experience
U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
Date: Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Hearing Start Time: 2:30 p.m.
Press Pre-Set Time: 1:45 p.m.
Location: Room 253, Russell Senate Office Building
This heari...
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12th - |
Chairman Rockefeller Applauds President Obama’s Efforts To Improve The Blue Economy
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WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation Chairman, John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV, applauded President Obama’s signing of a memorandum today on the National Policy for Oceans, Coasts, and Great Lakes.
“The United States is on the cusp of creating a wave of new ‘blue’ jobs through ocean energy development, aquaculture, m...
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11th - |
Hearing Summary: Aviation Safety: FAA’s Role In The Oversight Of Air Carriers
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation held a subcommittee hearing yesterday on Aviation Safety: FAA’S Role in the Oversight of Air Carriers.
***The Committee will hold a second hearing on Aviation Safety:
The Role and Responsibility of Commercial Air Carriers and Employees on Wednesday, June 17, 2009***
Witness List:
The ...
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11th - |
Hearing Summary: FY 2010 NOAA Budget Hearing
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation held an Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard subcommittee hearing today on the FY 2010 NOAA Budget.
Witness List:
The Honorable Jane Lubchenco, Administrator, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Department of Commerce
Key Quotes:
“NOAA is the pr...
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9th - |
current Press Release |
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5th - |
Chairman Rockefeller Statement On The Transition To All Digital Programming
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Chairman Jay Rockefeller today reminded Americans of the nation’s upcoming transition to digital television (DTV), and sent letters to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), and the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), urging them to help consumers before, during and after the convers...
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3rd - |
Senator Hutchison’s Statement on GM and Chrysler Dealership Closures
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas), the Ranking Member on the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, made the following statement today during a Commerce Committee hearing on the General Motors and Chrysler dealership closures.
Thank you Mr. Chairman. Would you allow me to ask every person in the audience who is a dealer to stand. We really wanted ...
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1st - |
Chairman Rockefeller Holds Hearing On Chrysler/GM Bankruptcies
- Washington, D.C.—Senator John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV, Chairman of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, has issued the following statement in response to the Chrysler and General Motors (GM) bankruptcies and subsequent restructuring:
“General Motors and Chrysler are important American manufacturers and it is my hope they will emerge stronger. However, my immedia...
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