Speech #890185118

Those of us who are fortunate enough to have small boats are aware of the constant efforts of the Coast Guard to protect us. Sometimes. when they cite us for failure to carry proper equipment. we feel that they are overzealous. but their efforts have paid off in the surprisingly low casualty rate among those who use the waters for recreation. We know that our men in Vietnam are backed up by the Coast Guard. which has 26 of its best 82foot patrol cutters. together with their crews patroling the coasts to prevent infiltration and smuggling. on the opposite side of the world. in a more peaceful. but nevertheless tense and critical area. the Coast Guard is shepherding and guarding the safety of thousands of refugees from Cuba who have sought to escape the despot Castro by utilizing small boats many of which were never designed for use in open waters. Their success in this field in the light of hazardous circumstances is outstanding and many people who are presently happy in the United States owe their lives and their liberty. to the men of the Coast Guard. Our fishermen. upon whose efforts we depend for a goodly portion of our food likewise must acknowledge the help of the Coast Guard not only in protecting their lives against the vagaries of the weather but in protecting them and their source of livelihood from the depredations of Russian and Japanese fishermen.