Courtney Statement on Passage of Coast Guard Authorization Act With Support for the National Museum in New London | Congressman Joe Courtney
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Courtney Statement on Passage of Coast Guard Authorization Act With Support for the National Museum in New London

February 2, 2016

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02) made the following statement today after the House passed the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2015 by voice-vote last night. The measure included language supporting the National Coast Guard Museum planned for New London: “The Coast Guard occupies a special place in eastern Connecticut and we are excited to be the home of the planned National Coast Guard Museum in New London,” said Courtney.

“The measure passed by the House, which is now on its way to the President, today makes clear that Congress stands firmly behind this effort. I am proud to have worked closely with my colleagues from both sides of the aisle to get this targeted change in federal law to ensure that the Coast Guard can provide its full support for establishing the museum. This change will now make it possible for the Coast Guard to assist with the design and creation of the exhibits that will be displayed for visitors, which will be a tremendous boost for the national fundraising efforts already underway. There is much more work ahead, but passage of this bill is a tremendous step forward.”

Watch Representative Courtney’s remarks on the House Floor in favor of the Coast Guard Authorization bill here

Under a federal law passed in 2004, the Coast Guard is prohibited from using its federal funding to support the design and construction of the museum. While a national private fundraising campaign is underway to raise the funds necessary to build the museum, the current law limits the ability for the Coast Guard to support efforts to preserve and display artifacts from its 225-year history at the museum. Section 219 of the bill amends the 2004 law to ensure that the Coast Guard can provide funding for “the design, fabrication, and installation of exhibits or displays in which such artifacts are included.”

A similar version of the Coast Guard Authorization Act passed the House in December 2015, but after the bill was amended in the Senate it was sent back to the House for final passage this week.

Courtney is a co-chair of the bipartisan House Coast Guard Caucus.