ByRepresentatives Berry, Hoff, Ryu, Sells, Valdez, Graham, Klicker, Macri, Santos, Pollet, and Frame

Prefiled 12/23/21.Read first time 01/10/22.Referred to Committee on Community & Economic Development.

TO THE SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVES, ELECTED BY THE CITIZENS OF WASHINGTON STATE, OF THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS ASSEMBLED:

We, your Memorialists, the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of Washington, in legislative session assembled, respectfully represent and petition as follows:

WHEREAS, Washington state is committed to the development of its maritime industry's role in achieving a sustainable future and contributions to economic growth, ecological health, and thriving communities; and

WHEREAS, The current global pandemic has demonstrated the critical importance of maintaining resilient domestic industries and transportation services to the citizens and workforce of Washington state; and

WHEREAS, The Merchant Marine Act of 1920, known as the Jones Act after Senator Wesley Jones of Washington, and codified in Title 46 of the United States Code, requires that vessels carrying cargo between locations in the United States be owned by American companies, crewed by American mariners, and built in American shipyards; and

WHEREAS, Washington state is home to 22,500 maritime jobs supported by the Jones Act, the sixth highest among all states, that generate $1,500,000,000 in labor income through the construction and maintenance of ferries, fishing boats, and cargo vessels; and

WHEREAS, Maritime industry jobs create ladders of opportunity through high-paying, family-wage careers that offer significant career advancement without generally necessitating advanced formal education and extensive student loans; and

WHEREAS, The more than 40,000 vessel strong Jones Act fleet supports nearly 650,000 family-wage jobs and over $154,000,000,000 in economic output nationally and $6,100,000,000 to the Washington state economy;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Washington state Senate and House of Representatives affirm its resolute support for the Jones Act and celebrate the centennial anniversary of the Jones Act in fostering a strong domestic maritime industry that is critical to Washington state's and the nation's economic prosperity and national security; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be immediately transmitted to the senators and representatives, elected by the citizens of Washington state, in the Congress of the United States of America in Washington, D.C.