Recognizing the City of Key West's Designation As A ``Coast Guard City''

Floor Speech

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Mr. GIMENEZ. Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the City of Key West's designation as a Coast Guard City. This designation, made official on August 4, 2022, at Truman Waterfront Park, pays tribute to the city's longstanding, fruitful, and supportive relationship with the United States Coast Guard (USCG).

Since 1998, this legal designation has recognized communities that welcome Coast Guard servicemembers and their families with open arms. These cities support their local USCG families in a variety of ways--by building monuments, hosting picnics and parades, sponsoring patriotic events and awards, establishing partnerships with the local business community, and much more. To achieve this designation, a municipality submits a request explaining its history of supporting the Coast Guard. Only after a rigorous examination by Coast Guard Headquarters, the Commandant, and the appropriate congressional committees is a city finally proclaimed a Coast Guard City.

The history of the Coast Guard in Key West traces back to 1823, when the U.S. Navy Antipirate Squadron settled on the island. Congress established a depot for naval supplies in 1852. Nine years later, Key West became the headquarters of the East Gulf Blockage Squadron. Even before the Coast Guard was established in the early 20th century, Key West Headquarters performed the vital functions of collecting import tariffs, capturing pirates, interdicting smugglers, and rescuing those lost at sea.

Today, the Coast Guard continues to serve the greater Key West community by patrolling the surrounding 55,000 square miles of water. In return, the City of Key West supports USCG personnel in many ways. Quality-of-life initiatives, discounts, and sponsorships enrich the lives of Coast Guard servicernembers and families. The city integrates both Active-Duty and retired personnel into the fabric of all aspects of the community--business, education, and leisure. Parades, battle reenactments, and festivals celebrating the Coast Guard's presence are a Key West staple.

I am honored to celebrate this distinction for the City of Key West, and I also thank USCG Commandant Admiral Linda Fagan for her service to the Key West community. This designation reflects the deep, enduring relationship between the city and the U.S. Coast Guard. May that relationship continue to flourish for many decades to come.

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