Introduction
Good afternoon Chairman Maloney, Ranking Member Gibbs, and members of the Committee. Thank you for the opportunity to appear before you today to discuss the state of the U.S.-flag international fleet and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the U.S. maritime supply chain.
My name is Eric Ebeling and I am testifying today on behalf of USA Maritime, a coalition consisting of American-flag vessel owners and operators, trade associations, and maritime labor. USA Maritime is committed to ensuring the U.S. Merchant Marine will always be available to support our warfighters, enhance our economy through trade, and provide great jobs to thousands of Americans across the country.
As we just celebrated Memorial Day earlier this week, and National Maritime Day last Friday, May 22nd, I take the opportunity to reflect on all those men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military to defend our freedoms, and all those serving in the maritime industry past, present and future. At the confluence of these holidays, and on the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II, it is right and proper that we remember World War II merchant mariners, who were recently recognized through the “Merchant Mariners of World War II Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2020”, sponsored by Congressman John Garamendi (D-CA) and Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), and signed into law by President Trump on March 14, 2020. Thank you to all of you who supported this long overdue recognition.
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