U.S. Merchant Marine Academy graduates 197; Obama Administration promises Class of 2009, "We're going to fix this place up"

The Obama Administration's commencement gift to the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy's Class of 2009? $12 million, a blue-ribbon panel to study the institution's long-term needs...and our heartfelt wishes for safe and prosperous maritime careers.

 

 

Yesterday, I had the honor of addressing the Class of 2009 at the King's Point, NY, Academy. There is no doubt in my mind that King's Point is one of the jewels in the crown of our federal educational system.

 

 

 

One of the core strengths of this institution is its remarkable ability to adapt to the nation’s changing needs over time-–and provide the instruction that’s necessary to ensure each cadet is ready to rise to the occasion.

 

The midshipmen training to be deck and engine officers in 1945 could not have imagined that their counterparts today would study nuclear engineering and intermodal transportation. This illustrates just how well King’s Point has continued to evolve its capacity to serve the nation. Through all manner of technological and cultural changes--in 1974, King's Point first admitted women, 2 years ahead of the other U.S. service academies, and yesterday both the Class President and the Valedictorian were women--this institution has never lost sight of its core mission to prepare men and women to lead, protect, and defend our economic and transportation interests.

 

That preparation has served generations of Academy graduates very well. And I know it will serve the Class of 2009 just as well.

Please read more below about the the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, the nation's need for maritime skills, and the Obama Administration's maritime priorities...

 

Despite the economic downturn, the demand for maritime skills in civilian and military organizations remains very high. That’s a testament to the training at King's Point and the value of its graduates.

 

From humanitarian missions in the Congo, to military service in Afghanistan, to service aboard a Liquified Natural Gas tanker, there is ample opportunity for King's Point grads to serve and to lead. When I imagine the class I addressed confronting challenges like piracy or working to make our supply chain more efficient, there’s no doubt in my mind that they will meet or exceed expectations.

 

 

I commend the King's Point Class of 2009 for making maritime service such a vital part of their undergraduate education and their professional aspirations.

 

Now, on my last visit to the Academy, I noticed that the campus needs work--repairs and enhancements--to maintain its ability to provide America's top maritime leadership training.

 

I am very pleased to announce that the Maritime Administration’s budget for next year includes a $12 million increase in the Academy’s budget for operations and capital improvements.

 

And I’ve asked our former DOT Deputy Secretary, Thomas Barrett, who is a retired vice admiral with the Coast Guard, to head up a blue-ribbon panel to study the long-term needs of the Academy.

 

It is right and proper that if the United States asks King's Pointers to serve their country with distinction, we should provide the tools and resources to support that effort. This school attracts first-rate students who give a hundred and ten percent every day-–and if America deserves first-rate mariners, those who answer the call to sea duty deserve first-rate facilities to prepare them for service.

 

Our commitment on this issue reflects the Obama Administration’s broad support for strengthening the strategic and economic value of our domestic seaports and intra-coastal waterways.

 

For the first time in our history, the federal government is making $1.5 billion available in grants for projects around the country that strengthen the links between surface and maritime operations.

 

The goal is not just to modernize transportation in this country, but also to change the way we think about how to move goods and passengers. We want transportation to be more efficient, better integrated, and less harmful to the environment--while improving our ability to compete in a global shipping economy.

 

We’re inviting transportation organizations around the country to submit proposals for these grants, and we expect many in the maritime industry will participate. It’s possible future employers of the King's Point 2009 graduating class could receive some of these funds, which could help them in thier future careers.

 

We’re also investing in our Marine Highways--our domestic network of inland and coastal waterways. We’re hoping this strategy will enable us to shift some truck cargo away from our congested roadways, and onto our under-used waterways. Graduates pursuing careers in transportation logistics could find themselves navigating these waters-–or managing shipping traffic on these waterways.
 
Make no mistake, America needs their expertise, their energy, and their ability to tackle old problems in new ways. And, that’s true across the maritime board-–from our seaports and intermodal terminals to the facilities right here at King’s Point.

 

Maintaining the status quo is simply not an option for us-–or for the graduates of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. Clearly, the federal government recognizes that in order to keep our maritime industry going strong, we must continue to invest in both capital improvements and in new ideas and approaches.

 

And we must all continue to subscribe to the Academy’s motto: “Deeds, not words.”

Comments

[dj]

With the way the economy is, isn't there a better use for for $12 million dollars. Also, where did this money come from???? This country is in debt already, why are we as the Administration promises "Going to fix this place up?"

[yj]

About time they invested in kings point. USMMA provides approx 80% of licensced officers obligated to provide logistical support in time of national emergency/war for the nation. USMMA is one of the undisputed world leaders in maritime education. The school lends credibility to the United States. As one of the major international maritime leaders.

[jg]

Consider this. The stimulus package included about 50 million dollars for the National Endowment for the Arts. The 12 million for the USMMA is money far better spent. In fact they should have reversed the two. The USMMA (like the other Federal Academies) produces a fine product. Graduates are of a strong character with a commitment to service.

[Proud USMMA Parent]

This is great news. An investment in USMMA is an investment in our nation and the strength of its economy. The bulk of the world and the nation's economy is driven by maritime trade. If the US fails in this vast economic area, our military cannot protect us. A belated thank you to the president who had the foresight to see this long ago and commissioned this school as a federal academy. A thank you to our current Commander in Chief who realizes the need to continue supporting this fine institution. The USMMA is America's best kept secret. Few people know how much we all owe to the men and women it has turned out over the years. These graduates do not get the recognition given to military personnel, but they are just as vital to our nation's security.

[serial numbers]

A belated thank you to the president who had the foresight to see this long ago and commissioned this school as a federal academy. A thank you to our current Commander in Chief who realizes the need to continue supporting this fine institution. The USMMA is America's best kept secret.

[Bryan Graves]

Why are we subsidizing graduates who will work at NAPA Auto Parts to pay back their service obligation? The USMMA has outlived its usefulness and should be closed. I just took a look at the budget for this upcoming year. Are you kidding? While the private industry, including the maritime industry, suffers cut backs, lay-offs and lower profits, the USMMA is increasing its budget by millions of dollars?
Why is it that the federal government and its employees are not part-taking in this recession which by all accounts and in all honesty was caused by the federal government (e.g Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, Neighborhood Redevelopment, other wealth transfers, TARPI, II, Bailouts, over spending the budget, high interest payments of 40% of the budget,and so on)? Further, I know of no other institution that is such a hot bed of nepotism as the USMMA. The school produces very little for our nation as was its intended purpose when it was established.