R 320

2016 -- H 8357 Enacted 06/16/2016

H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

JOYOUSLY CELEBRATING NATIONAL COAST GUARD DAY ON AUGUST 4, 2016

Introduced By: Representatives Tobon, Barros, Malik, Azzinaro, and Lancia

Date Introduced: June 16, 2016

WHEREAS, National Coast Guard Day is held every August 4th to commemorate the

founding of the United States Coast Guard on August 4, 1790. On that day the United States

Congress authorized the building of a fleet of ten Revenue Service cutters, who were tasked with

the responsibility of enforcing the first United States tariff laws; and

WHEREAS, The United States Coast Guard is a branch of the United States Armed

Forces. The Coast Guard is unique in that it has both a maritime military mission and a maritime

law enforcement mission. It currently operates under the United States Department of Homeland

Security but can be transferred at any time to the United States Navy by order of the President or

by the Congress during times of war; and

WHEREAS, The United States Coast Guard has made many valuable contributions to

our nation in a myriad of ways such as boating safety, search and rescue, aids to navigation,

merchant marine safety, environmental protection, maritime law enforcement, and port security;

and

WHEREAS, The military and civilian personnel of the United States Coast Guard and

their predecessors have served our nation with valor and courage since 1790. Our nation relies on

the readiness and excellence of the Coast Guard's 42,190 active duty personnel, 7,899 selected

reservists, 8,722 civilian employees, and its 32,156 auxiliary members; and

WHEREAS, According to the United States Coast Guard, on a typical day the Coast

Guard will conduct 109 search and rescue cases, save 10 lives, assist 192 people in distress,

protect $2.8 million in property, seize 169 pounds of marijuana and 306 pounds of cocaine, with a

street value of $9.5 million, conduct 377 vessel safety checks and teach boating safety to 550

boaters, monitor the transit of 2,509 commercial ships through United States ports, and board 100

large vessels for port safety checks; now, therefore be it

RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and

Providence Plantations hereby joyously celebrates National Coast Guard Day on August 4, 2016;

and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Admiral Paul F. Zakunft, Commandant of the

United States Coast Guard.

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LC006158

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