FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                            Contact:  Janet Mescus:  (703) 312-1557  
April 1, 2009                                                                                                     jmescus@navyleague.org

Navy League releases annual Maritime Policy Statement calling for strong maritime forces
to controls seas, protect economic security
 
Arlington , Va. – The Navy League of the United States released today its 2009-10 Maritime Policy Statement, National Security – Maritime Superiority - Global Presence.  The annual statement represents the Navy League’s commitment to ensuring that as a maritime nation, continued high priority is given to maintaining a strong national maritime force.   This year’s statement challenges the nation’s leaders not to succumb to “sea blindness” or the result will be loss of control of the seas, which is critical to the American economy.  The statement identifies critical programs and policies influencing both the operational and materiel readiness of today’s U. S. Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and U.S. flag-Merchant Marine.  The document also prescribes current and future force structure levels necessary for the intermediate and long-term readiness of each service. 

“History has proven that no nation has gained international prominence without having a strong maritime capability,” said J. Michael McGrath, National President of the Navy League.  “As a maritime nation, the strength of our maritime forces is critical to our national security and economic prosperity.  Our economy will be at risk if we cannot ensure freedom of navigation across the oceans.  Failure to maintain maritime superiority will put us in jeopardy both in the war against terrorism and in conflict anywhere in the world.”  

The Policy Statement also outlines the need to revitalize our industrial maritime industry and strengthen the overburdened Marine Transportation System, which consists of the waterways, ports and their intermodal connections, vessels and vehicles that are critical to the U.S. economy. 

Many of these topics will be discussed at the Navy League’s 2009 Sea-Air-Space Exposition to be held May 4-6 at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center at the National Harbor in Maryland .  This year’s exposition will focus on the same theme and showcase more than 150 leading defense companies exhibiting weapons and sea power technologies for the 21st century.  A series of professional seminars with military leaders and defense corporate partners will provide fresh insights into the needs, challenges and requirements of the Sea Services in support of the long war against terrorists and other national security demands.  Copies of the Maritime Policy Statement will be available at the Exposition.
   
This Exposition is open to U.S. active duty, reserve and retired military personnel, as well U.S. government employees, members of congress and their staffs, and Navy League members at no charge.  It is not open to the general public. 
  
The Navy League is a non-profit civilian organization with 60,000 members worldwide whose mission for more than 100 years has been to educate the American people and their leaders about the enduring importance of sea power to a maritime nation, and to support the men and women of our sea services. 

For more information about the Maritime Policy Statement or Sea-Air-Space Exposition, visit www.navyleague.org or contact Janet Mescus, Sr. Dir. of Communications at (703) 312-1557. 
 

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“Citizens in Support of the Sea Services” 

2300 Wilson Boulevard   Suite 200        Arlington, Virginia  22201                  Tel  (703) 528-1775            Fax (703) 528-2333