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STATEMENT ON THE HONORABLE DUNCAN HUNTER
BEFORE THE SPECIAL OVERSIGHT PANEL ON THE
MERCHANT MARINE

HOUSE ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE
JULY 23, 2002

This Hearing will come to order.

My opening remarks will be brief. This is the second in a series of hearings, which the panel will hold on the reauthorization of the Maritime Security Program. Last week we heard from witnesses representing the ship owners, maritime labor, and the so-called “section 2" citizens. If we learned anything last week, we have a very difficult task ahead of us.

This week we will receive testimony from the shipbuilding components within this industry. Judging from a review of their testimony, we will have a replay of last week's hearing. I am particularly interested in getting the best cost estimates of each of the disparate proposals that will be presented today.

I also noticed that several of the witnesses today have made comments on needed changes to the tax laws. I hope to hear more on these topics today.

As many of you know, I have been developing a proposal to address this issue that has developed in part, from discussions with other members of this panel. I hope to be in a position to introduce this legislation-ideally, as as bipartisan effort-after the break. In my opinion, reauthorization and modification of the current Maritime Security program is only one step in a series of required changes.

At the end of the day, we will need to develop a program that is affordable and one that this Administration can get behind and support. As I said last week, we intend to continue these hearings into the fall-at which time we will get the views and the requirements of the ultimate usersTRANSCOM. If we cannot design a program that meets and satisfies a discernable military requirement, we will not be get the support of the

Administration.

Before I recognize the distinguished ranking member of this panel, I want to ask unanimous consent that a letter dated July 19,2002 from Andy Abbott, representing the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders, Blacksmiths, Forgers and Helpers be entered into the record.

Mr. Abbot was invited to testify before the panel today but was scheduled to

be out of town. Without objection, so ordered.

At this time, I recognize the Honorable Tom Allen from Maine for

any statement he might wish to make.

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I thank the Chairman for scheduling this next installment in our series of hearings on reauthorization of the Maritime Security Program.

When I talk to people back in Maine about what we do in Congress, this is the kind of event they think we do all the time: a substantive, thorough airing of an issue, with views from all sides. It is good to have this opportunity to dig into this issue, and hear from the wide variety of entities with interests in the Maritime Security Program.

I especially thank the Chairman for setting up this hearing on shipbuilding issues early in the series. Like the Chairman, I have one of the "big six" shipyards in my district. The shipbuilders have an interesting proposal for the re-authorization, and I look forward hearing the testimony of San Diego's own Mr. Voortman, as well as our other witnesses.

Thank you.

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