Gene Taylor introduces “National Boating Day” resoultion
On May 7 Congressmen Ron Klein (D-Fla.) and Henry Brown (R-S.C.), along with Congressional Boating Caucus Co-Chairs Candice Miller (R-Mich.) and Gene Taylor (D-Miss.), introduced House Resolution 410, designating July 1, 2009 as National Boating Day.
The proposed designation is in recognition of the important role recreational boating and the boating industry play in the lives and health of the nation’s 59 million boaters and the U.S. economy.
In designating July 1 as National Boating Day, the U.S. House of Representatives seeks to commend the recreational boating industry and community for their responsible stewardship of the environment and marine resources.
The resolution also highlights the importance of the recreational boating industry in the U.S. economy by providing a strong manufacturing base and services industry.
“A healthy, vibrant U.S. economy needs a healthy, vibrant U.S. marine industry,” said Congressman Klein. “The marine industry is responsible for over $2.8 billion in direct sales and 30,000 jobs statewide. In my district alone, there are over 34,000 registered boats, and the industry produces $193 million and employs over 2,000 of my constituents. Clearly, boating is not just a coastal pastime, it’s an American pastime.”
“Boating is big business in the state of South Carolina with more than $826 million in sales a year and nearly 9,000 boating industry employees across the state,” said Congressman Brown. “This resolution shows the importance of boating for the U.S. economy, and affirms the contributions boating and boaters make to the environment, outdoor recreation, and American families. In my district alone, there are 82,441 registered recreational boats and 145 boating businesses providing hundreds of jobs to South Carolinians.”
The Advocate
5/16/9
Magnolia Tribune
