HR4508DEC16

TheWeekInCongress.com

Week Ending December 16, 2005

H.R.4508 To commend the outstanding efforts in response to Hurricane Katrina by members and employees of the Coast Guard, to provide temporary relief to certain persons affected by such hurricane with respect to certain laws administered by the Coast Guard, and for other purposes.

BRIEF

The legislation notes that despite Coast Guard facilities taking a major hit in the Hurricane Katrina stricken Gulf coast the US Coast Guard did an exemplary job of rescue and providing aid to victims of the storm.

The bill would assure automatic reissuing of documents and certifications such as Merchant Mariner documents for those from Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana and those stationed in those areas be extended to not later than February 28, 2006.

The Coast Guard issues yearly certificates of inspection for all US commercial vessels and the bill would allow for that certificate to be extended for up to 3 months.

Coast Guard personnel who normally would lose any accrued leave over 60 days each year would be allowed to accumulate up to 90 days of leave. The excess leave must be used within the following year.

Sponsor: Representative Don Young (R-AK)

Vote: Passed House by voice vote December 14, 2005.

Cost to the taxpayers: No cost data given.

MORE INFORMATION

(a) Findings- The Congress finds the following:

(1) On August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf of Mexico coastal region of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama, causing the worst natural disaster in United States history.

(2) The Coast Guard strategically positioned its aircraft, vessels, and personnel the day before Hurricane Katrina made landfall and launched search and rescue teams within hours after Hurricane Katrina struck.

(3) The Coast Guard moved its operations in areas threatened by Hurricane Katrina to higher ground and mobilized cutters, small boats, and aircraft from all around the United States to help in the response to Hurricane Katrina.

(4) The response to Hurricane Katrina by members and employees of the Coast Guard has been immediate, invaluable, and courageous.

(5) The Coast Guard rescued more than 33,000 people affected by Hurricane Katrina through the air and by water, including evacuations of hospitals, and has been at the center of efforts to restore commerce to areas affected by Hurricane Katrina by clearing shipping channels, replacing aids to navigation, and securing uprooted oil rigs.

(6) The Coast Guard was at the forefront of the Federal response to the numerous oil and chemical spills in the area affected by Hurricane Katrina.

(7) Members and employees of the Coast Guard--

(A) have shown great leadership in helping to coordinate relief efforts with respect to Hurricane Katrina;

(B) have used their expertise and specialized skills to provide immediate assistance to victims and survivors of the hurricane; and

(C) have set up remote assistance operations in the affected areas in order to best provide service to the Gulf of Mexico coastal region.

(8) Members and employees of the Coast Guard have worked together to bring clean water, food, and resources to victims and survivors in need.

(b) Commendation, Recognition, and Thanks- The Congress--

(1) commends the outstanding efforts in response to Hurricane Katrina by members and employees of the Coast Guard;

(2) recognizes that the actions of these individuals went above and beyond the call of duty; and

(3) thanks them for their continued dedication and service.

(c) Sense of Congress- It is the sense of Congress that the Coast Guard should play a major role in response to any future national emergency or disaster caused by a natural event in the United States in a coastal or offshore area.

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