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Houston Hosts First "Conversation with the Country" of 2008

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS080128-09
Release Date: 1/28/2008 12:44:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Igo Wordu, Navy Office of Information

HOUSTON (NNS) -- The home of one of the largest seaports in the United States hosted the first "Conversation with America" symposium of the year, Jan. 24, to discuss a new military strategy – "A Cooperative Strategy for the 21st Century Seapower," at the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, Houston Branch.

Adm. Thad Allen, Commandant, United States Coast Guard, along with Vice Adm. John Morgan, Vice Chief of Naval Operations, Information, Plans and Strategy were among several top military officers who addressed the audience during the event.

Over 150 local residents from all works of life, including civic leaders, scholars and policy makers attended the event.

"Conversations with the Country" is a series of outreach discussions around the nation designed to communicate the new strategy and create awareness and discussions with the American people.

The new Maritime Strategy recognizes changing trends in global socio-political, military landscape and draws the Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard closer together to provide a layered defense of the homeland, and work to protect and sustain the American way of life. The new strategy provides the right balance of forces to conduct traditional combat missions while raising the prevention of war to a level equal to the conduct of war.

Allen said the strategy also focuses on promoting a sustainable economy by detecting elements that will otherwise threaten peace and security around the world.

"Through humanitarian assistance, projection of sea power, and crime deterrence," Allen said. "American's interests are better served."

While addressing the audience, Vice Adm. Morgan explained that this maritime strategy is important to the national economy and security. He noted that a sustainable economy correlates with a strong national defense.

"About 90 percent of the world's commerce crosses the oceans, and world prosperity and security depend on the free use of the seas," he said.

Houston is one of many cities that will benefit by the new strategy. The city is a major economic hub with more than 200 million tons of good shipped through its port in 2007 alone.

"Global economies have become increasingly interconnected," said Allen. "As such, new challenges have emerged. This is why I believe in this cooperative strategy. It will enable us to do our job better and to defend our national security. I am looking forward to this joint effort."

The audience weighed-in on the impact of this new strategy, the nation's security, global interest and the economy.

For more information and to read the Maritime Strategy, visit www.navy.mil/maritime.

For more news from Chief of Information, visit www.navy.mil/local/chinfo/.