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Remarks Prepared for Delivery by
U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao
National Maritime Day
Washington, D.C.
Thursday, May 19, 2005
Thank you, John [Jamian, Acting Maritime Administrator].
I am pleased to be here today to help celebrate the 71st annual observance
and memorial service honoring the contributions of merchant mariners in
times of peace and war.
I have attended this ceremony over the past several years, and I always
enjoy reconnecting with old friends in the maritime industry.
It's good to see Deputy Secretary of Transportation Maria Cino, Admiral
Brewer. I also want to recognize President Mike Sacco of the Seafarers International
Union; President Ron Davis of the Marine Engineers' Beneficial Association;
Captain Tim Brown of the Masters, Mates and Pilots Union; Vice President
Ed Kelly of the American Maritime Officers; Former Maritime Administrator
Admiral Albert Herberger; Former Maritime Administrator John Gaughan; Monsignor
John Fitzgerald; Admiral Edward Walker of the U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation;
and other distinguished guests.
Today, we pay special tribute to all merchant
mariners. And we reflect upon and honor the rich history of the United States
Merchant Marine. That history is captured so poignantly in the U.S. Merchant
Marine flag and seal.
In fact, two individuals are going to be recognized today for lending their
talents to the creation of the U.S. Merchant Marine flag and seal. Captain
George Bark is a 1944 graduate of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. He took
the initiative to create the flag in 1994. He and Walter Oates, who is a
1942 graduate of the Merchant Marine Academy, and was later MARAD's Public
Affairs Officer, designed the flag. It personifies the dedication, commitment
and sacrifice of our nation's merchant mariners.
The flag, which includes the seal, recognizes the contributions of the U.S.
Merchant Marine to the Nation's history, even before the United States was
born. The U.S. Merchant Marine then—and now—is vital to supporting the twin
pillars of our country's strength: economic prosperity and national security.
In peacetime, our patriotic mariners keep America working by transporting
our imports and exports. They crew the ships that conduct our worldwide commerce.
That's so important because 95 percent of our imports and exports are moved
by water. And our waterways currently handle 140 million passengers a year.
The introduction of new cruise ships into the American Flag passenger trade
is providing thousands of good-paying jobs for American workers.
The PRIDE OF ALOHA has been operating in the Hawaiian trade for almost one
year now. And the PRIDE OF AMERICA is expected to reach New York Harbor in
early June for an inauguration ceremony.
This Administration and the maritime community worked together to further
strengthen the industry by supporting flexibility in the tax laws. As a result,
the American maritime industry is expected to invest more into strengthening
our fleet and creating jobs for American mariners.
In times of war, our nation is especially grateful for the special role
merchant mariners play in supporting national defense. Today, more than
8,000 brave merchant mariners crew auxiliary vessels for the United States
Navy to support our troops in Afghanistan and Iraq. They have delivered
more than 92 percent of the equipment and supplies needed by our brave troops.
It is in part due to the service of the U.S. Merchant Marine that America
sustains the strongest military force the world has ever known. When the
history of this era is written, the U.S. Merchant Marine will be remembered
as part of the effort to toppling a brutal regime and helping to build
a stable, democratic Iraq.
The U.S. Merchant Marine serves our country during times of peace and war
with distinction and often at great personal risk. Their contributions to
our prosperity and freedom are immeasurable. So, today, I am pleased to honor
their sacrifices, which help ensure the freedom and opportunity we enjoy
here at home and abroad.
Thank you again for including me in this special ceremony. May God bless
you and may God bless America.
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