Congresswoman Corrine Brown Attends Hearing on El Faro Incident

Statement

On Wednesday, February 17, 2016, Congresswoman Corrine Brown, a key member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, attended a hearing on the sinking of the cargo ship, El Faro, during a hurricane last fall. In her official role to conduct oversight and investigation and make recommendations as a member of the Transportation Committee, the Congresswoman listened intently to the testimony given this morning during the hearing.

Congresswoman Brown, who has advocated for and been a strong supporter of the families of the Merchant Marines onboard the ship, said she "strongly believes that the Coast Guard should have greater oversight in deciding whether or not ships are allowed to sail into potentially dangerous weather conditions." In this instance, El Faro sank when it ran into a hurricane last year while carrying cargo between Florida and Puerto Rico, making this "the worst cargo shipping disaster involving a U.S. flagged vessel in more than three decades' (Reuters News Service, 2/17).

Congresswoman Brown will not be in attendance at the hearings later this week because she is participating in an intercity Amtrak Gulf Coast passenger rail trip from New Orleans to Jacksonville, Florida, lasting several days. A longtime proponent of passenger rail and The Sunset Limited and key member of the House Transportation Committee's Railroad Subcommittee, the Gulf Coast ride, which will begin in New Orleans and end in Jacksonville, Florida, has a goal of restoring Amtrak's Gulf Coast passenger rail service all the way to Central Florida to augment the security of Gulf Coast residents and Floridians against natural and man-made disasters. The trip will also examine the existing infrastructure and bring about a better understanding of the economic, cultural and mobility opportunities that intercity passenger rail provides. Traveling with Congresswoman Brown will be Congressman Cedric Richmond (LA-02), local elected officials, industry representatives, community leaders, and federal rail stakeholders.

Source