WASHINGTON–U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Chairman of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security, authored an op-ed in The Day to highlight the importance of a National Coast Guard Museum to southeastern Connecticut and share news of $50 million in federal funds he appropriated in the Senate Homeland Security Appropriations bill for next fiscal year.

“Today, I want to share some exciting news about my efforts in Washington to get this critical project done. Just this week, as Chairman of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security, I authored a major boost in federal funding to jump start the museum's construction and upgrade New London's City Pier,” Murphy wrote.

Murphy outlined why this museum is one of his top priorities and how it will serve Connecticut.

“First things first, it makes no sense that the Coast Guard is the only historic branch of the armed services with no national museum. The other armed services have over 77 museums between them,” Murphy wrote.

On the educational benefits of a National Coast Guard museum, Murphy wrote: “This project will be a huge opportunity for kids in Connecticut — and across the country — who will come to visit. The building will be filled with interactive educational exhibits on topics including fisheries, weather patterns, and how we can better protect the environment. Over 15,000 children will take part in the STEM Discovery Center each year — and Connecticut schools will benefit from field trips and additional partnerships.”

On the museum’s economic potential for southeastern Connecticut, Murphy wrote: “The museum will create hundreds of jobs and pump upwards of $20 million a year into the region's economy. And it will bring hundreds of thousands of additional visitors to New London each year, which will help restaurants, shops, and other local businesses grow.”

Murphy concluded: “With the funding I'm working to include in next year's budget, we'll be closer than ever to making this museum a reality. And when we do, we'll have a dedicated place to honor the noble motto that Coast Guard service members have lived, fought, and died by: Semper Paratus, Always Ready.”

You can read the full op-ed here.

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