[House Report 111-446] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] 111th Congress Report HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 2d Session 111-446 ====================================================================== RECOGNIZING THE COAST GUARD GROUP ASTORIA'S MORE THAN 60 YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES _______ March 19, 2010.--Referred to the House Calendar and ordered to be printed _______ Mr. Oberstar, from the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, submitted the following R E P O R T [To accompany H. Res. 1062] The Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, to whom was referred the resolution (H. Res. 1062) recognizing the Coast Guard Group Astoria's more than 60 years of service to the Pacific Northwest, and for other purposes, having considered the same, report favorably thereon with an amendment and recommend that the resolution as amended be agreed to. The amendment is as follows: Strike the preamble and insert the following: Whereas Coast Guard Group Astoria was established in 1948; Whereas Coast Guard Group Astoria units are responsible for safeguarding mariners in the often treacherous waters of the Pacific Northwest; Whereas Coast Guard Group Astoria's area of responsibility covers more than 140 miles of coastline between Queets, Washington, and Pacific City, Oregon; Whereas helicopters from Coast Guard Air Station Astoria regularly patrol and respond to offshore missions from the Canadian border to northern California; Whereas Coast Guard Group Astoria is comprised of Station Grays Harbor in Westport, Washington; Station Cape Disappointment in Ilwaco, Washington; Station Tillamook Bay in Garibaldi, Oregon; Air Station Astoria in Warrenton, Oregon; and Aids to Navigation Team Astoria at Tongue Point, Oregon; Whereas during an average year, Coast Guard Group Astoria units respond to more than 800 search-and-rescue calls for help, assist more than 1,700 mariners, and save nearly 100 lives; Whereas the 325 men and women of Coast Guard Group Astoria perform many missions including search and rescue, homeland security, enforcement of laws and treaties, and maintenance of Aids to Navigation; Whereas Coast Guard Group Astoria supports local Coast Guard cutters in maintaining 470 Aids to Navigation, enabling mariners to safely navigate the coastal waters of Oregon and Washington; Whereas since 2003, the men and women of Coast Guard Group Astoria have assisted more than 10,000 individuals in distress and saved more than 500 lives; Whereas since 2003, Coast Guard Group Astoria has conducted more than 1,200 Living Marine Resources missions to ensure commercial fishing vessel crews abide by Federal and State laws in order to preserve fisheries for future generations; Whereas since 2003, Coast Guard Group Astoria has spent more than 1,000 hours responding to High Interest Vessels to ensure the security of United States ports and waterways in accordance with the Coast Guard's statutory homeland security responsibilities; Whereas during the December 2007 Pacific Northwest winter storm, Coast Guard Air Station Astoria helicopter crews flew 28 sorties to rescue and save 136 persons as winds exceeded 130 knots; and Whereas Coast Guard Group Astoria continues to protect the Pacific Northwest and embody the Coast Guard motto, Semper Paratus: Now, therefore, be it PURPOSE OF THE LEGISLATION H. Res. 1062, as amended, recognizes the Coast Guard Group Astoria's more than 60 years of service to the Pacific Northwest, and for other purposes. BACKGROUND AND NEED FOR LEGISLATION H. Res. 1062, as amended, recognizes Coast Guard Group Astoria for providing service to the Pacific Northwest for more than 60 years. Established in 1948, Group Astoria's area of responsibility includes more than 140 miles of coast line, extending up to 50 nautical miles offshore, between Queets, Washington, and Pacific City, Oregon. Group Astoria has 325 personnel and consists of six units including: Group Astoria, Air Station Astoria, Aids to Navigation Team Astoria, Station Cape Disappointment, Station Tillamook Bay, and Station Grays Harbor. Group Astoria's missions include search and rescue, environmental protection, law enforcement, ports waterways and coastal security, and aids-to-navigation support. The Group also provides medical, administrative, civil and naval engineering, and communications support for Coast Guard units in its area of responsibility. In an average year, the members of Group Astoria respond to more than 800 search and rescue calls, and support the maintenance of 470 aids-to-navigation. Over the past seven years, Group Astoria has greatly enhanced the safety and security of the Pacific Northwest by spending more than 1,000 hours monitoring and escorting High Interest Vessels, responding to hundreds of distress calls, assisting more than 10,000 mariners in distress, and saving more than 500 lives. During this time, the unit also conducted more than 1,200 Living Marine Resources missions enforcing Federal and state laws to ensure commercial fishing vessels are not over-fishing in certain areas, protecting the fragile marine environment, and conserving marine resources for future generations. In December 2007, during the Pacific Northwest winter storm, Coast Guard Air Station Astoria's brave helicopter crews flew 28 sorties in 130-knot winds to rescue 136 distressed mariners. This resolution recognizes the Coast Guard Group Astoria's more than 60 years of service to the Pacific Northwest; honors the brave men and women of Group Astoria who risk their lives every day to ensure the safety and security of the people of the Pacific Northwest; and directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to make available enrolled copies of this resolution to Coast Guard Group Astoria for appropriate display. SUMMARY OF THE LEGISLATION H. Res. 1062, as amended, recognizes the Coast Guard Group Astoria's more than 60 years of service to the Pacific Northwest. Further, the resolution honors the brave men and women of Coast Guard Group Astoria who risk their lives daily to ensure the safety and security of the people of the Pacific Northwest, and directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to make available enrolled copies of this resolution to Coast Guard Group Astoria for appropriate display. LEGISLATIVE HISTORY AND COMMITTEE CONSIDERATION On February 3, 2010, Representative David Wu introduced H. Res. 1062. This resolution has not been introduced in a previous Congress. On March 3, 2010, the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure met in open session to consider H. Res. 1062. The Committee adopted an amendment to the resolution by voice vote. The Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure ordered H. Res. 1062, as amended, reported favorably to the House by voice vote with a quorum present. RECORD VOTES Clause 3(b) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives requires each committee report to include the total number of votes cast for and against on each record vote on a motion to report and on any amendment offered to the measure or matter, and the names of those members voting for and against. There were no recorded votes taken in connection with consideration of H. Res. 1062, or ordering the resolution, as amended, reported. A motion to order H. Res. 1062, as amended, reported favorably to the House was agreed to by voice vote with a quorum present. COMMITTEE OVERSIGHT FINDINGS With respect to the requirements of clause 3(c)(1) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, the Committee's oversight findings and recommendations are reflected in this report. COST OF LEGISLATION With respect to clause 3(c)(2) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, H. Res. 1062, as amended, is a resolution of the House of Representatives, and therefore does not have the force of law. As such, there is no cost associated with this resolution for fiscal year 2010, or any fiscal year thereafter. COMPLIANCE WITH HOUSE RULE XIII 1. With respect to the requirement of clause 3(c)(2) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, and section 308(a) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, the Committee advises that the resolution contains no measure that authorizes funding, so no comparison of the total estimated funding level for the relevant programs to the appropriate level under current law is required. 2. With respect to the requirement of clause 3(c)(4) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, the Committee advises that the resolution contains no measure that authorizes funding, so no statement of general performance and objectives for any measure that authorizes funding is required. 3. With respect to the requirement of clause 3(c)(3) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives and section 402 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, the Committee advises that the resolution contains no measure that authorizes funding, so no cost estimate nor comparison for any measure that authorizes funding is required. COMPLIANCE WITH HOUSE RULE XXI Pursuant to clause 9 of rule XXI of the Rules of the House of Representatives, the Committee is required to include a list of congressional earmarks, limited tax benefits, or limited tariff benefits, as defined in clause 9(e), 9(f), and 9(g) of rule XXI of the Rules of the House of Representatives. H. Res. 1062, as amended, does not contain any earmarks, limited tax benefits, or limited tariff benefits under clause 9(e), 9(f), or 9(g) of rule XXI. CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY STATEMENT Pursuant to clause 3(d)(1) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, H. Res. 1062, as amended, is a resolution of the House of Representatives, and therefore does not have the force of law. As such, clause 3(d)(1) of rule XIII does not apply. FEDERAL MANDATES STATEMENT H. Res. 1062, as amended, contains no Federal mandates. PREEMPTION CLARIFICATION Section 423 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 requires the report of any Committee on a bill or joint resolution to include a statement on the extent to which the bill or joint resolution is intended to preempt state, local, or tribal law. The Committee states that H. Res. 1062, as amended, does not preempt any state, local, or tribal law. ADVISORY COMMITTEE STATEMENT No advisory committees within the meaning of section 5(b) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act are created by this legislation. APPLICABILITY TO THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH The Committee finds that the resolution does not relate to the terms and conditions of employment or access to public services or accommodations within the meaning of section 102(b)(3) of the Congressional Accountability Act (P.L. 104-1). CHANGES IN EXISTING LAW MADE BY THE BILL, AS REPORTED H. Res. 1062, as amended, makes no changes in existing law.