Jones Act WSR 8611

SENATE RESOLUTION 8611

By Senators Keiser, Schoesler, King, Fortunato, Valdez, Cleveland, Stanford, Conway, Nguyen, Lovick, Hasegawa, Rolfes, and Salomon

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, In 1920, Senator Wesley Jones of Washington championed the Merchant Marine Act of 1920 requiring 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, 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 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 celebrate the centennial anniversary of the law championed by Senator Wesley Jones in 1920 in fostering a strong domestic maritime industry that is critical to Washington state's and the nation's economic prosperity and national security.

I, Sarah Bannister, Secretary of the Senate, do hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of Senate Resolution 8611adopted by the Senate February 2, 2023

SARAH BANNISTER

Secretary of the Senate