AL SJR32

Celebrates the centennial anniversary of the Merchant Marine Act of 1920 (Jones Act), which requires vessels carrying cargo between U.S. locations to be owned by American companies, crewed by American mariners, and built in American shipyards.

Recognizes Alabama's maritime industry as supporting 12,860 jobs (tenth highest per capita nationally) and generating $729.4 million in worker income.

Notes the Jones Act fleet comprises more than 40,000 vessels supporting nearly 650,000 family-wage jobs nationally, over $154 billion in economic output, and $2.8 billion to the Alabama economy.

Affirms the Alabama Legislature's support for the Jones Act as critical to national security and homeland security, as mariners monitor 95,000 miles of U.S. shoreline and 25,000 miles of navigable inland waterways.

Recognizes maritime industry jobs as high-paying career opportunities offering advancement without generally requiring advanced formal education or extensive student debt.