CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE, Vol. 155, Pt. 9 April 30, 2009
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11278 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE, Vol. 155, Pt. 9 April 30, 2009 community, we must not forget the lege or serve in the Armed Forces an training facility for deep sea merchant history of Asian Pacific Islander Amer- opportunity to adjust to a lawful sta- seafarers. It teaches skills for sailors icans in this country. The Angel Island tus and pursue these goals. If it be- and seafarers, such as how to maintain Immigration Station has a significant comes law, the DREAM Act would help a boat engine and how to secure a ship place in Asian Pacific Islander Amer- Asian Pacific Islander Americans and from pirates. I salute the SIU members ican history. Declared a National His- others triumph over adversity. aboard the Maersk Alabama for their toric Landmark in 1997, Angel Island As future generations of Asian Pa- patriotism and pluck and for their re- served as the entry point in the West cific Islander Americans continue to fusal to surrender their ship. for over 1 million immigrants from strive for excellence in our educational This incident reminds us of the im- 1910–1940. This includes approximately system, economy, and communities, I portance of the Merchant Marines. 175,000 Chinese immigrants who were am pleased to honor and distinguish Often unseen and unappreciated, they detained at Angel Island before they the many triumphs and accomplish- are vital to our economic security and were granted entry to San Francisco. ments of the Asian Pacific Islander our national security. They are our Along with Representative LYNN WOOL- American community and their role in eyes and ears on the water. They are SEY, I sponsored the Angel Island Im- shaping our Nation’s identity. experts in marine safety, environ- migration Station Restoration and f mental protection and the new and lat- Preservation Act, which passed in both est technology. They keep our ports MAERSK ALABAMA HEROES the House and the Senate in 2005, au- safe and our commerce flowing. thorizing $15 million of federal funds Ms. MIKULSKI. Mr. President, this They are the Ready Reserve. They for the Angel Island Immigration Sta- month the Nation was gripped by the are there in war, transporting vital tion Preservation Project. After 31⁄2 pirate attack on Maersk Alabama off military aid and supplies to our troops. years since it was closed for restora- the coast of Africa. Today, I rise to They are there in peace, supplying aid tion, Angel Island reopened this Feb- cheer Captain Richard Philips, for his to those most in need—just as the ruary and will educate the public about bravery and valor, and the Navy Maersk Alabama was doing when the the immigration experience and the SEALs, for securing the Captain’s safe pirates attacked. They are prepared to significance that it holds for many im- return. risk their lives defending their flag. migrant families today. We also need to honor the Merchant Let’s salute the Merchant Marine, After the recent passage of the Amer- Marines who did not give up their ship. not just for what they did aboard the ican Recovery and Reinvestment Act of Though unarmed, using their wits, grit Maersk Alabama, but for what they do, 2009, benefits were finally granted to and training, they saved their ship—an what they stand for, their proud tradi- long-time Filipino veterans of World American flag-ship—and the much- tion. The Merchant Marine tradition is War II. The act recognizes the service needed food aid they were carrying to one of saving America time and time of these veterans and includes a provi- the desperately poor of Africa. again. They have been the Nation’s sion which allocates $198 million to the The 20-man crew of the Maersk Ala- fourth arm of defense since the Amer- Filipino veterans for their defense of bama belonged to the American Mer- ican Revolution. the Philippines, a commonwealth chant Marines. They were sailing a President Roosevelt called our Mer- under the United States during World U.S.-flag vessel carrying 17,000 metric chant Marines ‘‘heroes in dungarees’’ War II. We must praise and commend tons of cargo to Mombasa, Kenya. because during World War II these gal- these brave soldiers for the sacrifices I am so proud that many of them lant men braved the waters of the they made during their service in the trained in Maryland at Calhoon MEBA North Atlantic and the dangers of the Armed Forces. Engineering School in St. Michael’s or Murmansk run to keep our troops over- The idea of family is important to at the maritime training school in seas fed and clothed. They have fought Americans and continues to be at the Piney Point. Here, they learned how to on the front lines of every war since center of the Asian Pacific Islander navigate at sea, operate and repair then—from Korea, Vietnam and the American value system. It is impera- ships, and how to handle a pirate or Persian Gulf to the Iraq War. They tive that we do what we can to keep terrorist attack. Here, they received were there on 9/11, ferrying thousands families united to ensure that immi- the education to sail the sea with skill of people to safety in New York. They grants and children receive the support that allowed them to save their ship were there in the aftermath of Hurri- to sustain a livelihood in the United with courage. canes Katrina and Rita. And they have States. Thirteen of the 20 crew members been there providing food to starving I have continued to support immigra- aboard the Maersk Alabama trained in children in Ethiopia, Somalia and doz- tion initiatives, such as comprehensive Maryland; 4 at Calhoon MEBA Engi- ens of other regions around the world. immigration reform and have sup- neering School and 9 at the Paul Hall The maritime community has been a ported family reunification. I authored Center for Maritime Training and Edu- major player in my personal and polit- legislation to reform the treatment of cation. ical history, from growing up in east unaccompanied immigrant children Richard Matthews of St. Michael’s Baltimore to my early days in Con- who are in Federal immigration cus- was an engineer aboard Maersk Ala- gress on the Merchant Marine and tody. The bill gives unaccompanied mi- bama. He trained at Calhoon MEBA Fisheries Committee. I got my start in nors access to pro bono legal counsel Engineering School, as did three others politics by representing blue collar and requires family reunification aboard the ship: Ken Quinn, the ship’s workers in Baltimore, the shipyard whenever possible. second mate who called CNN from the workers and the dock workers. We must recognize that the Asian ship; Michael Perry; and John Cronan. I am relieved by the safe return of Pacific Islander American community John Cronan later told the ‘‘Today’’ the Maersk Alabama’s crew and cap- is diverse, not only in language, cul- show: ‘‘We didn’t have to retake the tain and I am grateful for all of those ture and foods, but in education and ship because we never surrendered it. involved in their safe rescue and re- socio-economic levels as well. That is We’re American seamen. We’re union turn: the Navy and their elite Navy why it is so important to provide tal- members. We stuck together and did SEALs squad and President Obama and ented students who have clearly em- our jobs.’’ his administration for handling the braced the American dream the incen- Twelve crew members aboard the hostage situation with great skill. tive to take the path toward being a re- Maersk Alabama are members of the As we welcome them home, let us ac- sponsible, contributing member in our Seafarers International Union, SIU. knowledge not just their heroism off civic society. Many of them trained at SIU’s mari- the horn of Africa, but the everyday I have cosponsored the DREAM Act time school, the Paul Hall Center for heroics of our Merchant Marines; their of 2009 to give undocumented high Maritime Training and Education, in skills and training, their patriotism school students who wish to attend col- Piney Point, MD. It is the largest and proud tradition, and the role they VerDate Mar 15 2010 08:15 Aug 24, 2011 Jkt 079102 PO 00000 Frm 00050 Fmt 0686 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR09\S30AP9.001 S30AP9 erowe on DSK5CLS3C1PROD with BOUND RECORD April 30, 2009 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE, Vol. 155, Pt. 9 11279 play every day, in every way, sup- reminisced at length about her first meeting Still, Mr. Miller, 56, and the more flamboy- porting our troops, guarding our ports, with Leonard Cohen, who had no confidence ant Mrs. Miller, 52, are by temperament keeping our economy strong and safe- in his talents until she recorded his song genuinely modest, and each, during separate guarding our interests overseas. ‘‘Suzanne.’’ He returned the favor by per- recent interviews, remarked on being taken suading her to take up songwriting. aback by the international outpouring of f Her wildest tale described an adventure in good wishes and concern that followed Mr. TRIBUTE TO JUDY COLLINS Chicago on a winter night in which she ca- Miller’s triple-bypass surgery. He’d felt a roused until 3 a.m. with two folk-singing col- heart attack coming on after a Feb. 19 per- Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, Marcelle leagues, one of whom gave her a handgun for formance with Emmylou Harris, Patty Grif- and I have been privileged to have protection during the walk back to her fin and Shawn Colvin in Baltimore.