Merchant Marine of World War II Congressional Gold Medal Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. FOSTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2992, legislation to honor the dedicated and unwavering service provided by the U.S. Merchant Marine during World War II, a bill that I am proud to cosponsor. I hope that, upon its passage in the House, the Senate will move quickly to take it up and pass this bill before the 114th Congress adjourns.

While many are familiar with the sacrifices made by those who served in the Armed Forces during World War II, less often do we stop and take time to recognize the members of the U.S. Merchant Marine who played an essential role in supplying our troops overseas with the equipment, food, and materials necessary to sustain the fight against the Axis powers.

Despite the unrelenting threat of attack and the risk to their lives, the U.S. Merchant Marine proved to be an invaluable asset on innumerable occasions, participating in every landing operation by the United States Marine Corps during the war.

In speaking of the brave contributions made by the U.S. Merchant Marine, President Franklin Roosevelt said that the Merchant Marine ``delivered the goods when and where needed in every theater of operations and across every ocean in the biggest, the most difficult, and dangerous transportation job ever undertaken.'' President Roosevelt also said that ``as time goes on, there will be greater public understanding of our merchant fleet's record during this war.''

In fact, during a recent visit to the National World War II Museum in New Orleans, Louisiana, I was pleased and proud to see the proper and impressive display dedicated to the role of the merchant marine in that war. Indeed, more than 70 years after President Roosevelt spoke those words, the House is taking an important step today to honor and to shed light on the contributions of the merchant marines made during World War II.

To further the public's understanding of the role the merchant marines played in securing the defeat of the Axis powers, the legislation will ensure that the Gold Medal will be given to the American Merchant Marine Museum, where it will be available for viewing by the public.

I urge my colleagues to support this legislation before us.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

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