June 28, 2012
For Immediate Release
June 28, 2012
Contact:
Frances Cox
202-496-2128
America’s Leading Business Voices Testify: ‘Law of Sea’ Needed for U.S. Economic Growth, Job Creation
Call for Ratification of Treaty that Advances U.S. Economic Interests
Washington, D.C. – The American Sovereignty Campaign (TASC) today applauded the testimony of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the American Petroleum Institute (API), the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) – all members of TASC – and Verizon Communications Inc. as further validation that the Law of the Sea Treaty would strengthen the U.S. economy and help create American jobs.
“Senate ratification of the Convention will provide confidence to U.S. companies that their undersea submarine cable investments are protected by more specific and reliable international law. The Convention provides tangible benefits to the United States through specific new protections for critical submarine cable infrastructure,” said Lowell C. McAdam, Chairman and CEO, Verizon Communications Inc.
“It is in our national interest to accede to the Convention, which would allow American companies to hire more people as they invest in exploring the resources of the sea,” stated Thomas J. Donohue, President and CEO, U.S. Chamber of Commerce. “Accession benefits the U.S. economically by providing American companies the legal certainty and stability to do what they do best: putting people to work by creating new and innovative goods and services.”
“The American oil and natural gas industry is ready to step up to the plate, but in order for it to succeed, it must be allowed to play on a level international playing field. The Law of the Sea Convention will go a great distance to provide us that level playing field,” stated Jack N. Gerard, President and CEO of API.
“Other nations are actively seeking to knock us from our mantle of economic leadership, yet, too often, we remain on the sidelines. Manufacturers can’t afford for the U.S. to sit on the sidelines when it comes to the Law of the Sea Convention,” said Jay Timmons, President and CEO of NAM.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, API, NAM and TASC broadcasted the U.S. business community’s support for Treaty ratification with print ads in inside-the-beltway and national publications today, and TASC continued its online ad campaign.
“The overwhelming support of U.S. business and military leaders – America’s foremost experts on the economy and national security – underscores the fact that ratification of Law of the Sea will strengthen and extend American sovereignty and provide U.S. companies with new opportunities to invest, expand and create jobs. We urge the Senate to consider the Treaty without delay,” said TASC Director Jeff Pike.
Follow TASC on Twitter to stay up-to-date on why Law of the Sea Treaty ratification is critical to America and learn about new developments with the campaign.
Learn more about TASC at www.RatifyTheTreatyNow.org.
The American Sovereignty Campaign (TASC) is supported by a broad, diverse and distinguished group of national security, business and NGO leaders who are committed to expanding U.S. sovereignty and protecting vital national security and economic interests by securing Senate ratification of the Law of the Sea Treaty this year.
