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[Page: S5264]  GPO's PDF
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    Mr. BREAUX. Mr. President, I rise to share with my colleagues a few remarks about a very remarkable gentlemen that visited with me recently. Maersk McKinney Moller is a legendary figure in his native Denmark. And after our meeting, I've come to appreciate even more his ties to the United States and the history he's lived in his 86 years.

   Mr. Moller, as some of my colleagues may know, is the owner of the world's largest shipping company--the AP Moller Group. Its U.S. headquarters were founded in 1943, and its U.S. affiliate, Maersk Line, Limited was chartered in Delaware in 1947. Today, it generates employment for approximately 9000 Americans through 10 U.S. corporate entities devoted to ship management, terminal operations, trucking, rail, transportation and logistics services. On a global scale AP Moller controls approximately 250 ships, 53 of which fly the stars and stripes of the United States. It is notably, the largest US-flag commercial fleet in the world.

   Mr. Mollers' ties to the United States go back to 1910, well before he was even born. In that year his father, Arnold Peter Moller, married Chastine Estelle McKinney, a native of Kansas City, MO. Returning to Copenhagen, the senior Moller had by 1940 built a fleet of 46 ships, many of which were engaged by the US and its allies in WWII.

   April 1940 saw Germany invaded Denmark and young Maersk McKinney Moller's life fundamentally changed. With his bride of five days, he came to the United States. With personal assets blocked by the war, times were financially lean and his lifestyle was modest. The ensuing eight years, however, marked a period that cemented his enduring bond with Americans and admiration for U.S. armed forces.

   By the time WWII ended in 1945, 148 Maersk seamen had lost their lives and the Maersk fleet had lost 25 vessels.

   That personal history would color much of what followed for Maersk-McKinney. After the war, he and his father rebuilt the AP Moller Group into the global shipping powerhouse it is today. Along the way, he has maintained a close relationship with the United States and her allies in ways that make a significant contribution to our national security .

   For nearly 20 years Maersk Lines, Limited, has partnered with the United States Marine Corps to preposition ships and supplies where needed. Maersk ships, in fact, were the first vessels to arrive in Desert Storm and off-load critically needed Marine Corps supplies and equipment.

   Prior to Desert Storm, Maersk Line, Limited obtained a secret clearance from the Department of Defense and now has a top-secret clearance to operate sensitive surveillance ships for the US Navy.

   I point these things out to my colleagues for a couple of reasons. First, as a matter of general interest, I wish more of my colleagues could have the pleasure of visiting with Mr. Moller. His personal history has imbued him with a very thoughtful approach and seasoned perspective on global issues.

   Second, as the man behind the largest commercial fleet of US-flag ships, he has proven to be a valuable partner to our defense interests. His ships and loading facilities and transportation infrastructure have moved literally tons of supplies that support our men and women in uniform.

   In the future the Maritime Security Program , MSP, one of the programs critical for maintaining a US-flagged shipping fleet, will need to be reauthorized. During times of critical national need, MSP participants like Maersk Line, Limited are contractually obligated to the statutorily mandated Voluntary Intermodal Sealift Agreement, VISA. I, for one, am reassured to know that a man of Maersk McKinney Moller's stature and integrity is involved so strongly in this aspect of our national defense. He has proven his value to our Nation many times over.

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