Remarks By

Captain William G. Schubert

Maritime Administrator

Professional Ship Award Ceremony

Norfolk, Virginia

November 15, 2002

It's a great day as we gather to recognize the tremendous achievements of the Ready Reserve Force's SS Cornhusker State and crew. The Ready Reserve Force is capable of a multitude of high-value, strategic sealift missions, including:

• Transporting vehicles and equipment;

• Moving U.S. military forces safely from continent to continent;

• Off-loading cargo where no ports exist or from the cargo holds of other vessels; and,

• Pumping fuel to inland points many miles away.

For just over 25 years our Nation's Ready Reserve Force has stood prepared to provide critical sealift to our armed forces in support of military and humanitarian missions.

The first real test of the Ready Reserve Force came during Desert Shield / Desert Storm when the RRF proved to Saddam Hussein and the world that the United States could move massive quantities of military supplies and troops anywhere with short notice. Since then, the RRF has continued to improve its readiness posture to serve our Nation:

• Supporting Army pre-positioning efforts;

• Supporting peacekeeping operations in Somalia -- the first time troop ships were activated since Vietnam;

• Supporting peacekeeping missions in Haiti and Bosnia;

• Providing sealift for humanitarian materials sent to Central America in the wake of Hurricane Mitch;

• Supporting the War on Terrorism in light of last year's terrorist attacks against the United States.

And just as the first test of the Ready Reserve Force came a decade ago in the war against Saddam Hussein's tyranny, the RRF stands prepared today to do it again. In a high state of readiness, the RRF is prepared to support military operations designed to counter any threat on the distant horizon.

Whenever our Nation has called -- the U.S. Merchant Marine and the Ready Reserve Force have answered quickly and decisively to provide high-value sealift for our Armed Forces.

Today we pay tribute to the SS Cornhusker State and its crew as we recognize their achievements.

The Professional Ship award is given to a non-military vessel that achieves the highest degree of readiness, performance, efficiency, productivity, and safety during a mission. Without question, the Cornhusker State has earned this distinction. It has proved that it is the best-of-the-best.

We also recognize the achievements of the captain and crew as we award them Merchant Marine Expeditionary Medals for serving on U.S.-flag ships in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

To Captain Bernard Fitzgerald, Chief Engineer Michael McDermott, and the rest of the Cornhusker State crew, I congratulate each of you on a job well done. You have served faithfully and have sacrificed much for the sake of your Nation. I thank you and the American people thank you.

The Professional Ship Award also positively reflects on the ship managers, ship construction and repair facilities, the maritime industry, and the maritime labor organizations, such as the American Maritime Officers and Seafarers International Unions. To our maritime partners and supporters of the industry, I also thank you, for without your support and contributions, the Ready Reserve Force would not exist, nor would it be a capable sealift asset.

Our next speaker is U.S. Representative Robert C. Scott, a member of the Judiciary Committee and the Committee on Education and the Workforce.

Congressman Scott represents the Third Congressional District of Virginia and has been a strong advocate for protecting the rights of all children with disabilities, as well as supporting a strong defense.

Congressman Scott also has been a good friend to the U.S. merchant marine and we are fortunate to have him on Capitol Hill, supporting the missions of the U.S. Maritime Administration.

It is an honor and privilege to introduce to you, Congressman Robert C. Scott.

Our next speaker is Mr. Joe Schumacher, District Director for U.S. Representative Jo Ann Davis, a member of the Armed Services, Government Reform, and International Relations Committees.

Congresswoman Davis represents Virginia's First Congressional District and has been a strong advocate for protecting the environment and in supporting our Nation's veterans and defense.

Congresswoman Davis also has been a good friend to the Maritime Administration and the U.S. merchant marine and we are equally fortunate to have her on Capitol Hill.

It is an honor and privilege to introduce to Congresswoman Jo Ann Davis' District Director, Mr. Joe Schumacher.

Ladies and gentlemen, it is indeed an honor and a privilege to introduce our keynote speaker -- the Honorable Norman Y. Mineta.

As the 14th U.S. Secretary of Transportation -- Secretary Mineta leads an agency with 130,000 employees and a $58.7 million dollar budget -- an agency that oversees all air, maritime and surface transportation modal assets in the United States.

In nominating him, President Bush said, "Norm made a reputation in the halls of Congress as someone who understands that a sound infrastructure in America will lead to economic opportunity for all Americans."

Before joining President Bush’s administration as Secretary of Transportation, Norman Mineta served as U.S. Secretary of Commerce under President Clinton, becoming the first Asian Pacific American to serve in the cabinet.

Secretary Mineta also has the distinction of being the first Secretary of Transportation to have previously served in a cabinet position. Prior to joining the Commerce Department, Secretary Mineta was a vice president at Lockheed Martin Corporation.

From 1975 to 1995, Secretary Mineta served as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, representing the heart of California’s Silicon Valley.

As a member of Congress, Norman Mineta was known for his dedication to the people of his district, for consensus building among his colleagues and for forging public-private partnerships.

Ladies and gentlemen, please extend a warm welcome for the Secretary of Transportation -- and my boss -- the Honorable Norman Y. Mineta.

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