The VOICE - June - Looking Back, Looking Ahead

June 2023 Newsletter from American Maritime Voices View this email in your browser

American Maritime VOICES | Vol 23 - June 2023

Welcome Aboard

Share the Code with Others to Help Them Come Aboard!

Bipartisan Leaders and Industry Stakeholders Celebrate

National Maritime Day

May 22 marked the 204th anniversary of the SS Savannah’s departure from Georgia to England in 1819 making it the first steamship in history to traverse the Atlantic. Since that voyage, the American Maritime industry has become a essential workhorse of the United States economy and an important partner for our national and homeland security. President Joe Biden was joined by leaders across the aisle like Senators Ted Cruz, Maria Cantwell, J.D. Vance, Gary Peters and more in honoring merchant mariners’ service and sacrifice. Read more and see if YOUR Congressional representative shouted out American Maritime.

What's Bubbling

Analyst John D. McCown Talks American Innovation, Maritime Competition and Critics'

Fuzzy Math

Tune in to the latest American Maritime Podcast with host Jennifer Carpenter, President & CEO of the American Waterways Operators, and guest John D. McCown, Founder of Blue Alpha Capital and Non-Resident Senior Fellow at the Center for Maritime Strategy, to learn about American Maritime's innovations and the fuzzy math used by anti-Jones Act talking heads.

McCown talks about American Maritime's history of innovation, discusses the importance of regular service to and from Puerto Rico and the role of the Jones Act in building efficient offshore wind farms across the nation.

Watch Now

Navy League CEO: Maintain the Merchant Marine to Keep America Safe and Secure

Mike Stevens, CEO of the Navy League of the United States and the 13th Master Chief Petty Officer of the U.S. Navy, wrote in the New York Daily News to call for broad support for the men and women of American Maritime. Stevens emphasized that while the American maritime industry creates 650,000 jobs and generates $154 billion in annual economic output, its most important role is to provide sealift capacity and a merchant mariner force that can support our military.

"The U.S. simply cannot allow this critical capacity to wither as our challenges around the world mount. Our maritime strength and sovereignty, supported by our ability to build and crew American ships in times of both peace and war, has been critical to our past, and will help determine our future. We should be strengthening our American maritime capacity, not attacking it for political or financial gain," writes Stevens.

News To Know

World War II Merchant Marine Veterans

Honored on Memorial Day

During the national Memorial Day concert held on May 28, PBS and Capital Concerts paid homage to over 250,000 brave U.S. Merchant Marines who served during World War II. The event, which took place on the hallowed grounds of the U.S. Capitol, served as a reminder of the vital role played by the Merchant Marine in securing victory against tyranny. Watch Now.

Heroes of America's Fourth Arm of Defense, William Balabanow, John Laughton, Charles Mills, George Worsham, and David Yoho represented the over 9,500 merchant mariner heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice by laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery. The ceremony was attended by President Joe Biden and distinguished members of the U.S. military. The five veterans were also invited to join the President for breakfast at the White House.

“All Americans should salute fallen Merchant Mariners who served in U.S. military operations. The wreath laying ceremony, with President Biden, at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the National Memorial Day Parade, and the National Memorial Day Concert held on May 28 are fitting tributes for our Nation to honor thousands of WWII Merchant Marine veterans and their families,” said Captain Dru DiMattia, President of American Merchant Marine Veterans, in a statement to American Maritime VOICES.

“This is an historic event for the U.S. Merchant Marine and our country. Our organization is honored by the support from President Biden, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Rep. Jimmy Panetta, the Department of Defense, the Maritime Administration, the National Park Service, and the Friends of the National WWII Memorial.”

House Majority Leader Steve Scalise of Louisiana Named "Maritime Leader"

The Shipbuilders Council of America (SCA) presented U.S. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-Louisiana) with the SCA Maritime Leadership Award to recognize the Congressman's support for America's shipyard and repair capacity.

“I am honored to receive the Maritime Leadership Award and thank the Shipbuilders Council of America for their commitment to the maritime industry in Louisiana. I will continue to fight for common sense policies that reduce red tape for our maritime industry and keep these high-skilled, high-paying jobs in Louisiana,” said Leader Scalise.