59–006 

110TH CONGRESS REPORT " ! HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 1st Session 110–324 

RECOGNIZING THE IMPORTANCE OF AMERICA’S 

WATERWAY WATCH PROGRAM 

SEPTEMBER 14, 2007.—Referred to the House Calendar and ordered to be printed 

Mr. OBERSTAR, from the Committee on Transportation and 

Infrastructure, submitted the following 

R E P O R T 

[To accompany H. Res. 549] 

[Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office] 

The Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, to whom 

was referred the resolution (H. Res. 549) recognizing the importance of America’s Waterway Watch program, and for other purposes, having considered the same report favorably thereon without 

amendment and recommend that the resolution be agreed to. 

PURPOSE OF THE LEGISLATION

H. Res. 549 recognizes the importance of the America’s Waterway Watch program. 

BACKGROUND AND NEED FOR LEGISLATION

The America’s Waterway Watch program was developed by the 

United States Coast Guard to encourage ordinary residents to assist in enhancing the security of tunnels, bridges, ports, ships, military bases, coasts, and other water-related resources. The program, 

similar to the well known Neighborhood Watch program, focuses on 

marine-related areas and compliments existing waterfront watch 

programs. 

The United States has more than 290,000 square miles of water 

and more than 95,000 miles of shoreline. At any time, terrorists 

have the ability to target coastlines, rivers, ships, tunnels, bridges, 

ports, waterside industries, and military bases. The Coast Guard 

and local first responders are charged with protecting these areas, 

but given limited resources, cannot do it alone. 

Through the America’s Waterway Watch program, the Coast 

Guard and its Reserve and Auxiliary components conduct outreach 


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efforts to people who live, work, or play around America’s waterfront areas. These efforts include outreach to fishermen, marina operators, longshoremen, tow boat crews, pilots, beach goers, waterfront homeowners, and over 70 million recreational boaters. The 

program gives people specific examples of where to look, what to 

look for, and what to do if a suspicious activity is discovered. 

Millions of brochures, wallet cards, and posters have been distributed to recreational boaters, marine dealers, marinas, and 

other businesses located near our waterways. The educational material encourages participants to report suspicious activities to the 

Coast Guard and other law enforcement agencies by calling 911 or 

877–24WATCH. This centralized national phone number is 

manned 24 hours a day; 7 days a week. 

In 2003, a potential terrorist incident was thwarted when a merchant mariner, who was aware of the America’s Waterway Watch 

program, called the hotline because he observed suspicious activity. 

Sayed Abdul Malike, a suspected terrorist with known connections 

to Al Qaeda, asked Captain John Martin unusual questions and 

took pictures as the boat transited under Miami, Florida’s I–95 

bridge. Captain Martin’s call led to the investigation of Malike and 

his eventual apprehension in Brooklyn, New York, the same year. 

The program acts as a force multiplier for the Coast Guard and 

local law enforcement and gives normal citizens the ability to act 

as the eyes and ears of out waterways in a way that is both meaningful and productive. It is an excellent way for citizens to contribute to America’s homeland security. 

SUMMARY OF THE LEGISLATION

H. Res. 549 recognizes the importance of the Coast Guard’s 

America’s Waterway Watch program. The program is a maritime 

security public outreach effort that encourages 70 million recreational boaters and others who live, work, or play around America’s waterways to have a heightened sense of awareness and report suspicious or unusual activities in the maritime domain to the 

Coast Guard National Response Center or other law enforcement 

agencies. 

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY AND COMMITTEE CONSIDERATION

On July 16, 2007, Representative Bilirakis introduced House 

Resolution 549. 

On August 2, 2007, the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure met in open session and ordered H. Res. 549 reported favorably to the House by voice vote. 

RECORD VOTES

Clause 3(b) of rule XIII of the House of Representatives requires 

each committee report to include the total number of votes cast for 

and against on each record vote on a motion to report and on any 

amendment offered to the measure or matter, and the names of 

those members voting for and against. There were no recorded 

votes taken in connection with ordering H. Res. 549 reported. A 

motion to order H. Res. 549 reported favorably to the House was 

agreed to by voice vote with a quorum present. 


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COMMITTEE OVERSIGHT FINDINGS

With respect to the requirements of clause 3(c)(1) of rule XIII of 

the Rules of the House of Representatives, the Committee’s oversight findings and recommendations are reflected in this report. 

COST OF LEGISLATION

With respect to the requirements of clause 3(d)(2) of rule XIII of 

the Rules of the House of Representatives, H. Res. 549 is a resolution of the House of Representatives and therefore does not have 

the force of law. As such, there is no cost associated with this resolution for fiscal year 2007, or for any fiscal year thereafter. 

COMPLIANCE WITH HOUSE RULE XIII

1. With respect to the requirement of clause 3(c)(2) of rule XIII 

of the Rules of the House of Representatives, and 308(a) of the 

Congressional Budget Act of 1974, the Committee advises that the 

resolution contains no measure that authorizes funding, so no comparison of the total estimated funding level for the relevant programs to the appropriate levels under current law is required. 

2. With respect to the requirement of clause 3(c)(4) of rule XIII 

of the Rules of the House of Representatives, the Committee advises that the resolution contains no measure that authorizes funding, so no statement of general performance and objectives for any 

measure that authorizes funding is required. 

3. With respect to the requirement of clause 3(c)(3) of rule XIII 

of the Rules of the House of Representatives and section 402 of the 

Congressional Budget Act of 1974, the Committee advises that the 

resolution contains no measure that authorizes funding. Neither a 

cost estimate nor comparison for any measure that authorizes 

funding is required. 

COMPLIANCE WITH HOUSE RULE XXI

Pursuant to clause 9 of rule XXI of the Rules of the House of 

Representatives, H. Res. 549 does not contain any congressional 

earmarks, limited tax benefits, or limited tariff benefits as defined 

in clause 9(d), 9(e), or 9(f) of rule XXI of the Rules of the House 

of Representatives. 

CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY STATEMENT

With respect to (3)(d)(1) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House 

of Representatives, H. Res. 549 is a resolution of the House of Representatives and therefore does not have the force of law. As such, 

clause (3)(d)(1) of rule XIII does not apply. 

FEDERAL MANDATES STATEMENT

H. Res. 549 contains no Federal mandates. 

PREEMPTION CLARIFICATION

Section 423 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 requires the 

report of any Committee on a bill or joint resolution to include a 

statement on the extent to which the bill or joint resolution is intended to preempt state, local, or tribal law. The Committee states 

that H. Res. 549 does not preempt any state, local, or tribal law. 


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ADVISORY COMMITTEE STATEMENT

No advisory committees within the meaning of section 5(b) of the 

Federal Advisory Committee Act are created by this resolution. 

APPLICABILITY TO THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH

The Committee finds that the resolution does not relate to the 

terms and conditions of employment or access to public services or 

accommodations within the meaning of section 102(b)(3) of the Congressional Accountability Act (Public Law 104–1). 

CHANGES IN EXISTING LAW MADE BY THE BILL, AS REPORTED

H. Res. 549 makes no changes in existing law. 

Æ 


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