Late yesterday, Congressmen Ron Klein (D-Fla.) and Henry Brown (R-S.C.), along with Congressional Boating Caucus Co-Chairs Candice Miller (R-Mich.) and Gene Taylor (D-Miss.), introduced House Resolution 410, designating July 1, 2009 as National Boating Day in recognition of the important role recreational boating and the boating industry play in the lives and health of the nation’s 59 million boaters and the U.S. economy.
In designating July 1 as National Boating Day, the U.S. House of Representatives seeks to commend the recreational boating industry and community for their responsible stewardship of the environment and marine resources. The resolution also highlights the importance of the recreational boating industry in theU.S. economy by providing a strong manufacturing base and services industry.
“A healthy, vibrant U.S. economy needs a healthy, vibrant U.S. marine industry,”said Congressman Klein. “The marine industry is responsible for over $2.8 billion in direct sales and 30,000 jobs statewide. In my district alone, there are over 34,000 registered boats, and the industry produces $193 million and employs over 2,000 of my constituents. Clearly, boating is not just a coastal pastime, it’s an American pastime.”
“Boating is big business in the state of South Carolina with more than $826 million in sales a year and nearly 9,000 boating industry employees across the state,”said Congressman Brown. “This resolution shows the importance of boating for the U.S. economy, and affirms the contributions boating and boaters make to the environment, outdoor recreation, and American families. In my district alone, there are 82,441 registered recreational boats and 145 boating businesses providing hundreds of jobs to South Carolinians.”
Thom Dammrich, President of the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA), agreed with the co-sponsors, noting: “Not only does recreational boating create real business opportunities and jobs, it’s a way for families and friends to connect and experience life on the water. Now more than ever, it’s important that people get out on the water and spend quality time with their families, discover and enjoy the boating lifestyle and keep the boating industry strong in America. We applaud and thank Representatives Klein, Brown, Taylor and Miller for their consistent support of the boating industry andAmerica’s boaters.”
The resolution must now move through Congress before the President can issue a national proclamation in observance of the day.
NMMA is the leading association representing the recreational boating industry. NMMA member companies produce more than 80 percent of the boats, engines, trailers, accessories and gear used by boaters in the United States. The association is dedicated to industry growth through programs in public policy advocacy, market statistics and research, product quality assurance and promotion of the boating lifestyle.
