Speech #1040156898

Today. over 50 percent of the U.S. population lives within coastal areas and directly benefits from the services the Coast Guard provides. But. indirectly. the Coast Guard. in the performance of its mission. protects every American. In fact. more than twothirds of the total budget for the Coast Guard goes to operating expenses to protect public safety and the marine environment. to enforce fishery and other laws and treaties. maintain aids to navigation. prevent illegal drug trafficking and illegal immigration. and preserve defense readiness. The Coast Guard is the oldest continuous seagoing service. As a military service it has fought in almost every war since the Constitution became the law of the land in 1789. and it has performed its myriad of peacetime missions during the intervening years.