The U.S. Merchant Marine's performance during Operation Iraqi Freedom has been, by all accounts, exceptional.
U.S. Maritime Administrator Capt. Bill Schubert said the U.S. Merchant Marine's effort during the war ranks as "the most impressive sealift in history."
Vice Admiral David Brewer, commander of the U.S. Military Sealift Command (MSC), said that the historic mission "would not have happened without" U.S. mariners, whom he described as "great Americans."
General John Handy, commander of the U.S. Transportation Command, wrote that in mobilizing for Operation Iraqi Freedom, U.S. mariners "in record time ensured our readiness to surpass any challenge that might lie ahead!"
Without question, SIU members along with our brothers and sisters throughout maritime labor delivered the goods. Even though I never doubted that we'd get the job done, it's still uplifting to see how strongly Seafarers responded to this challenge. When the balloon went up, our people were ready.
As Operation Iraqi Freedom moves into its next stage, it's apparent that many sealift operations still are ahead, even though the heaviest fighting is over. I believe our military leaders and troops deserve recognition for liberating the Iraqi people. And I'm heartened to see the well-deserved credit that has gone to the U.S. Merchant Marine, which once again delivered most of the materiel needed by our men and women in uniform.
Looking forward, the merchant marine's accomplishments in this war should serve as an overwhelmingly positive argument for immediately extending and expanding the Maritime Security Program (MSP). As many of you know, the 10-year MSP was signed into law in 1996, but its origins really go back to the first Persian Gulf War. In the wake of that conflict, Congress remembered the U.S. Merchant Marine's vital and unfailing role as America's fourth arm of defense. With plenty of input from a united industry, the legislators committed to the MSP--and America has been well-served by the program.
Anyone familiar with the MSP knows it's a winner. It's a bargain for the Defense Department. It helps ensure a pool of well-trained, loyal, skilled mariners who crew the strategic sealift ships in times of war. It gives our armed forces access to not only the nearly 50 modern, militarily useful, privately owned U.S.-flag vessels enrolled in the program, but also to the invaluable infrastructures of the ship operators who participate. It helps maintain the best, most cost-effective means of transporting supplies needed by our troops overseas.
Even the enemies of the U.S. Merchant Marine don't dispute that it would cost the government many more billions of dollars to replicate the assets of the MSP and its associated Voluntary Intermodal Sealift Agreement (VISA).
Last year, I testified before Congress on behalf of the SIU and other U.S. maritime unions who are urging that the MSP be extended for an additional 20 years, with an expansion of the fleet to at least 60 ships. For a lot of reasons, no one can afford to wait until the last minute before renewing the program. The ship operators need time to ensure available tonnage. The mariners must be able to count on employment in our industry at decent wages and benefits during times of peace. The nation itself would be well-served by maintaining the U.S. maritime industrial base and American jobs. And the government, if it doesn't act in time to ensure the future of the MSP, will already be behind in planning for its replacement.
The U.S. maritime industry rarely is an issue you'll see on the cable news shows or in the local paper. But concerning the MSP, nothing could be more obvious.
Our nation needs a strong U.S. fleet, both in peace and in war. The U.S.-flag merchant marine helps ensure our national and economic security. We've proven it time and time again, including during Operation Iraqi Freedom. And a vital part of maintaining a strong U.S. fleet is extending and expanding the U.S. Maritime Security Program.
You can bet our nation will face more conflicts down the line, particularly as we continue the war on terrorism. Committing to a bigger, stronger MSP will help ensure that American troops have the goods they need without question--and that the United States continues to chart the course that others want to follow.
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