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In Recognition of National Boating Day
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June 25, 2007
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(Washington, DC) -- Rep. Wasserman Schultz made the following floor statement in support of legislation calling on the President to declare National Boating Day:
"Madame Speaker,
I rise today in support of House Resolution 505 to highlight the important contribution of the recreational boating community and the boating industry to our way of life, and to call upon the President to issue a proclamation calling upon the American people to observe National Boating Day.
As a representative of Florida’s 20th Congressional District, I can attest to the important contribution recreational boating and the boating industry has had upon South Florida’s economy and quality of life.
The marine industry is responsible for more than $18 billion dollars of revenues and 220,000 jobs in Florida.
Recreational boating is integral to the Floridian way of life. From fishing to snorkeling to scuba diving in our beautiful coral reefs, or simply taking a scenic cruise through Florida’s intra-coastal waterways, recreational boating and South Florida go hand in hand.
In fact, recreational boating is such an important part of Ft. Lauderdale that the city has earned the well-deserved nickname, the “Venice of America.”
But the contributions of the recreational boating community go far beyond my home state. The boating population exceeds 73 million individuals utilizing and enjoying an estimated 18 million recreational watercraft.
In addition, the recreational boating industry provides more than $39 billion in sales and services to the U.S. economy and provides nearly 380,000 manufacturing jobs.
Boating helps to bring us closer to the wonders of nature, and it helps us to appreciate the need to be good stewards of our natural resources.
It’s no surprise that boaters often are our some of our most ardent conservationists, because they see firsthand the importance of protecting our fragile ecosystem for generations to come.
It’s for these reasons that I rise in support of H. Res. 505, recognizing the contributions of the recreational boating community and the boating industry to the continuing prosperity and affluence of the United States. This resolution calls upon the President to issue a proclamation to observe National Boating Day, with an appropriate day being July 1.
Madame Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support House Resolution 505 and vote for its final passage.
Thank you, and I yield back the balance of my time."
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