STATEMENT OF THE HONORABLE DUNCAN HUNTER BEFORE THE SPECIAL OVERSIGHT PANEL ON THE MERCHANT MARINE HEARING ON U.S OWNERSHIP AND CONTROL OF VESSELS OPERATING IN THE MARITIME SECURITY PROGRAM JULY 16, 2002 I would first like to welcome the witnesses that are scheduled to appear before us today. I recognize we have a lot to cover, so my opening remarks will be brief. Although we have some time before the current Maritime Security Program expires, the panel wanted to get started now with the hope that we can get something enacted well before the current expiration date in 2005. I understand that getting agreement among all the disparate interests will be difficult and also understand that paying for a new program will be equally challenging. What I hope the panel will do is work through each of the difficult issues with a goal of getting agreement on a consensus package that we can all unite behind. It is clear to me at this point that we will not be able to satisfy each and every desire. This is the first of what I hope will be several additional hearings relating to the maritime security program. The next hearing will address issues relating to commercial shipbuilding and the MSP program. I hope that hearing will also address additional incentive programs such as needed changes to our tax laws. We may also need to hear from other components such as the bulk operators. ་་་་་་་ Before we proceed to markup, I believe the panel will need to hear from those within the government who set the requirements for commercial reserve sealift capability. Accordingly, I will invite the head of the Transportation Command, General Handy, to testify. We all know that if we do not get his support for the key elements that reauthorization of MSP will be very difficult. Quite frankly, I think these two gentlemen recognize that we are not just getting access to ships in the Maritime Security Program but also the infrastructure that goes with them. We need to hear the importance of that part of the package. Finally, after we build the record, I want to get the Administration before this panel to hear their view, get their support and most |