Posted:
August 12, 2010
Former Alaskan Senator Ted Stevens died in a plane crash Aug. 9. He was 86. The longest-serving Republican senator, Stevens was a strong supporter of the U.S. maritime industry.
Stevens was instrumental in the passage of the Maritime Security Act of 1996, which established the original Maritime Security Program. The MSP is among the leading sources of seafaring work in the United States, while greatly enhancing the Navy's military sealift capabilities and readiness at a tremendous cost savings to the Department of Defense.
"It was the U.S.-flag fleet which stepped into the gap and provided the sustainment sealift during the initial months of Desert Storm," Sen. Stevens said during debate on the Maritime Security Act. "These ships were fully crewed and ready to serve because they were operating in regular commercial service in the foreign waterborne commerce. These companies and mariners were ready when our nation called."
Stevens was also a strong supporter of the Jones Act, U.S. cargo preference programs and other key elements of U.S. maritime policy during his time in the Senate.
Former Senator Ted Stevens dies in plane crash
Former Alaskan Senator Ted Stevens died in a plane crash Aug. 9. He was 86. The longest-serving Republican senator, Stevens was a strong supporter of the U.S. maritime industry.
Stevens was instrumental in the passage of the Maritime Security Act of 1996, which established the original Maritime Security Program. The MSP is among the leading sources of seafaring work in the United States, while greatly enhancing the Navy's military sealift capabilities and readiness at a tremendous cost savings to the Department of Defense.
"It was the U.S.-flag fleet which stepped into the gap and provided the sustainment sealift during the initial months of Desert Storm," Sen. Stevens said during debate on the Maritime Security Act. "These ships were fully crewed and ready to serve because they were operating in regular commercial service in the foreign waterborne commerce. These companies and mariners were ready when our nation called."
Stevens was also a strong supporter of the Jones Act, U.S. cargo preference programs and other key elements of U.S. maritime policy during his time in the Senate.