Legislation Document

SPONSOR:	Sen. Huxtable & Rep. Schwartzkopf
Sens. Hocker, Pettyjohn, Sokola, Wilson; Reps. Bolden, Bush, Carson, Parker Selby

DELAWARE STATE SENATE

152nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 169

RECOGNIZING MAY 22, 2024 AS NATIONAL MARITIME DAY.

WHEREAS, throughout its history, the United States has been a seafaring nation in which maritime activity has defined both its economy and national security; and

WHEREAS, National Maritime Day was first declared by Congress in 1933 to commemorate the first successful transatlantic voyage by a steamship in 1819 by the S.S. Savannah; and

WHEREAS, the observance honors the contributions of the American Merchant Marine, civilian mariners who have defended the United States since 1775; and

WHEREAS, more than 250,000 Merchant Marine members served during World War II, with 6,700 giving their lives and more than 800 U.S. merchant ships being sunk or damaged; and

WHEREAS, merchant mariners are critical to extending U.S. support and assistance to foreign nations and local communities hit by natural disasters and other crises, and were crucial during the COVID-19 pandemic to maintaining global supply chains; and

WHEREAS, the maritime industry is an integral part to the United States’ position as a global economic power, with maritime vessels accounting for 40% of the U.S. international trade value; and

WHEREAS, Delaware’s history is closely intertwined with the maritime industry, with many towns, including Lewes, Milton, Seaford, and Smyrna, having historic ties to the shipbuilding industry; and

WHEREAS, the original Indian River Life-Saving Station in Rehoboth Beach was built in 1876 for use by the U.S. Lifesaving Service, a government organization created to respond to the alarming number of shipwrecks along the coastlines of the U.S. and the precursor to today’s U.S. Coast Guard; and

WHEREAS, Delaware continues to have strong ties to the maritime industry through the Port of Wilmington, the Cape May - Lewes Ferry, and the Delaware City Refinery.

NOW, THEREFORE:

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the 152 ^nd General Assembly of the State of Delaware, the House of Representatives concurring therein, that the General Assembly hereby designates May 22, 2024, as “National Maritime Day” in the State of Delaware.