Introducing the Navy League “Protecting the Sea Lanes and America’s Commerce” June 16, 2010

About the Navy League Founded in 1902 with the support of Theodore Roosevelt The Navy League is a civilian organization with 53,000 members worldwide in 260 councils (chapters) – Everyone in this room is eligible to be a member Local councils are involved in their community The Navy League informs and advocates in support of the maritime services …Navy… Coast Guard … Marine Corps … and US Flag Merchant Marine

The Navy League’s mission and goals are: Education of the American people and their elected leaders about the importance of our maritime forces to defend the United States and protect global trade – we are the only country that can do this today. Supporting the men and women of the sea services and their families Foster the education and development of our youth through the Naval Sea Cadet Corps and Junior ROTC programs

The Declining U.S. Naval Fleet — A Key National Concern The US Navy has the same number of ships today as before World War I, as shown in this chart:

Consider: Global trade is critical to America’s economic well being - 90% of world-wide trade is now transported by sea Since World War I the US Naval fleet has exceeded 300 ships The deterrent value of a strong Navy and the need to protect the commercial sea lanes are necessary for our nation’s continued well-being

Admiral Michael Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Admiral Gary Roughead, Chief of Naval Operations, have stated that 313 ships are the minimum required to meet America’s global security needs

“The proposed 313 ship Navy must be considered a floor” Senator Jim Webb (D, Virginia) Member, Senate Armed Services Committee “A future fleet of at least 313 ships will be required” Senator John McCain (R, Arizona) Ranking Member, Senate Armed Services Committee

Bipartisan experts agree America’s global interests are best served by a US Naval fleet with capabilities for: Prevention of conflicts Being available for action anywhere in the world, including humanitarian relief Ensuring global shipping has free and open access to the oceans of the world

Recent budgets have been set way too low to maintain the fleet size needed to protect America’s national security interests and global commerce

From the late 1990s through FY 2010, Navy shipbuilding appropriations permitted the construction of an average of six new ships per year when we need to build 11 ships per year The decline in shipbuilding also negatively impacts our national shipbuilding infrastructure, a critical national security component

America’s security and economic interests extend to every region of the globe

The proposed FY2011 shipbuilding budget will result in the construction of only eight ships, continuing the significant underfunding of recent years. Due to lengthy construction times, it will realistically take several years to return our fleet size to the numbers needed … ….but we must act now to begin to reverse the trend

The Congressional Budget Office and the Congressional Research Service have estimated that the shipbuilding budget will need to average $25 to $27 billion (in 2010 dollars) to achieve the 313 ship fleet. The Navy League is working to increase funding for shipbuilding and other maritime service priorities.

In Closing Congressman Ike Skelton (D-Mo.), Chair of the House Armed Services Committee, recently stated: “We forgot that lesson of history that only the nations with powerful navies are able to exert power and influence, and when a navy disappears so does that nation’s power.”

Navy League of the United States Thank you for your attention today. I hope you will join us in this important cause.

$50 per year to help your country!