,,iii  #aag? ,,congress  #a/ ,session   
,s4 ,,res4 #bbj  ,,9 ,,! ,,s5ate ,,( ,,!
 ,,unit$ ,,/ates  ,may #ah1 #bjba ,ms4  
,hirono 7= h]self1 ,ms4 ,murk[ski1 &    
,mr4 ,ka9e7 submitt$ ! foll[+           
resolution2 :i* 0 ref]r$ to ! ,committee
 on ,=eign ,relations  ,,resolution     
,call+ ^u ! ,unit$ ,/ates ,s5ate to give
 its advice & cons5t to ! ratification (
 ! ,unit$ ,nations ,conv5tion on ! ,law 
( ! ,sea4  ,:]eas ! ,unit$ ,nations     
,conv5tion on ! ,law ( ! ,sea 7,,unclos7
 0 adopt$ by ! ,?ird ,unit$ ,nations    
,conf]5ce on ! ,law ( ! ,sea 9 ,decemb] 
#aihb & ent]$ into =ce 9 ,novemb] #aiid 
to e/abli% a treaty regime to gov]n     
activities on1 ov]1 & "u ! _w's oceans2 
,:]eas ! ,,unclos builds on f\r #aieh   
,law ( ! ,sea conv5tions to :i* ! ,unit$
 ,/ates is a p>ty1 namely ! ,conv5tion  
on ! ,t]ritorial ,sea & ! ,contigu\s    
,zone1 ! ,conv5tion on ! ,high ,seas1 ! 
,conv5tion on ! ,cont95tal ,%elf1 & !   
,conv5tion on ,fi%+ & ,cons]vation ( !  
,liv+ ,res\rces ( ! ,high ,seas2 ,:]eas 

! ,,unclos & an associat$ #aiid agreem5t
 relat+ to implem5tation ( ! treaty 7   
transmitt$ to ! ,s5ate on ,octob] #f1   
#aiid1 &1 9 ! abs5ce ( ,s5ate advice &  
cons5t to ratification1 ! ,unit$ ,/ates 
is n a p>ty to ! treaty or ! associat$  
#aiid agreem5t2 ,:]eas ! treaty has be5 
ratifi$ by #afg p>ties1 :i* includes    
#aff c\ntries & ! ,european ,union1 b n 
! ,unit$ ,/ates2 ,:]eas ! ,unit$ ,/ates1
 l mo/ o!r c\ntries1 ma9ta9s t coa/al   
,/ates "u ! ,,unclos h ! "r to regulate 
economic activities 9 _! ,exclusive     
,economic ,zones 7,e,e,zs71 b d n h ! "r
 to regulate =eign milit>y activities 9 
_! ,e,e,zs2 ,:]eas ! treaty's provisions
 relat+ to navigational rights1 includ+ 
navigational rights 9 ,e,e,zs1 reflect !
 diplomatic position ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates  
on ! issue dat+ back to ! adoption ( !  
,,unclos 9 #aihb2 ,:]eas becom+ a p>ty  
to ! treaty w\ld codify ! ,unit$ ,/ates 
curr5t position ( recogniz+ ! provisions
 )9 ! ,,unclos z cu/om>y int]national   
law2 ,:]eas becom+ a p>ty to ! treaty   

w\ld give ! ,unit$ ,/ates /&+ to        
p>ticipate 9 discussions relat+ to !    
treaty & !reby improve ! ability ( !    
,unit$ ,/ates to int]v5e z a full p>ty  
to disputes relat+ to navigational      
rights & to def5d ,unit$ ,/ates         
int]pretations ( ! treaty's provisions1 
includ+ ^? relat+ to :e!r coa/al ,/ates 
h a "r "u ! ,,unclos to regulate =eign  
milit>y activities 9 _! ,e,e,zs2 ,:]eas 
rely+ on cu/om>y int]national norms to  
def5d ,unit$ ,/ates int]e/s 9 ^? issues 
is n suffici5t1 because cu/om>y         
int]national law is n univ]sally accept$
 & is subject to *ange ov] "t bas$ on   
/ate practice2 ,:]eas rely+ on o!r      
c\ntries to ass]t claims on behalf ( !  
,unit$ ,/ates at ! ,p]man5t ,c\rt (     
,arbitration at ,! ,hague is woefully   
insuffici5t to def5d & uphold ,unit$    
,/ates sov]eign rights & int]e/s2 ,:]eas
 ! ,p]man5t ,c\rt ( ,arbitration1 9 !   
,july #ab1 #bjaf1 rul+ on ! case ,9 !   
,matt] ( ! ,s\? ,*9a ,sea ,arbitration1 
/at$ t ! ,tribunal =w>d$ to ! ,p>ties = 

_! comm5t a ,note ,v]bale f ! ,embassy (
 ! ,unit$ ,/ates ( ,am]ica1 reque/+ to  
s5d a repres5tative to obs]ve ! he>+1 & 
! ,tribunal communicat$ to ! ,p>ties & !
 ,u4,s4 ,embassy t x _h decid$ t #8only 
int]e/$ ,/ates p>ties to ! ,unit$       
,nations ,conv5tion on ! ,law ( ! ,sea w
 be admitt$ z obs]v]s' & ?us c\ld n     
acc$e to ! ,u4,s4 reque/2 ,:]eas1 on    
,novemb] #be1 #bjah1 ! ,russian         
,f$]ation violat$ int]national norms &  
b9d+ agreem5ts1 includ+ ! ,,unclos1 9   
fir+ ^u1 ramm+1 & seiz+ ,ukra9ian       
vessels & crews attempt+ to pass ?r\gh !
 ,k]* ,/rait2 ,:]eas1 on ,may #be1      
#bjai1 ! ,int]national ,tribunal = !    
,law ( ! ,sea rul$ 9 a vote ( #ai-a t   
the ,russian ,f$]ation %all imm$iately  
release ! ,ukra9ian naval vessels       
,b]dyansk1 ,nikopol & ,yani ,kapu1 &    
return !m to ! cu/ody ( ,ukra9e & t the 
,russian ,f$]ation %all imm$iately      
release ! #bd deta9$ ,ukra9ian s]vicem5 
& all[ !m to return to ,ukra9e1         
demon/rat+ ! ,tribunal's rejection ( !  

,russian ,f$]ation's argum5ts 9 t matt] 
9 relation to ! ,law ( ! ,sea2 ,:]eas1  
despite ! ,tribunal's rul+ align+ ) !   
position ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates ,gov]nm5t on 
! ,novemb] #be1 #bjah1 incid5t1 !       
cont9u$ nonp>ticipation ( ! ,unit$      
,/ates 9 ! ,,unclos limits ! ability ( !
 ,unit$ ,/ates to effectively respond to
 ! ,russian ,f$]ation's actions & to any
 pot5tial future violations by !        
,russian ,f$]ation & any o!r signatory (
 ,,unclos2 ,:]eas ! curr5t ,secret>y (  
,def5se1 ! ,honorable ,lloyd ,au/91 /at$
 t ! ,unit$ ,/ates has long treat$ !    
,,unclos's provisions relat$ to         
navigation & ov]flight z reflective (   
long/&+ & cu/om>y int]national law4 ,our
 milit>y already acts 9 a mann] consi/5t
 ) ^! rights & fre$oms1 s accession to !
 ,conv5tion w n impact ! mann] 9 :i* we 
conduct our op]ations1 9 response to a  
"q = ! record f ,s5ator ,hirono on      
,janu>y #ba1 #bjba2 ,:]eas ! curr5t     
,*ief ( ,naval ,op]ations1 ,admiral     
,mi*ael ,gilday1 /at$ t becom+ a p>ty to

 ! ,conv5tion w\ld re9=ce fre$om ( !    
seas & ! navigational rights vital to   
our global =ce po/ure 9 ! _w's l>ge/    
maneuv] space4 ,jo9+ ! ,conv5tion w\ld  
also demon/rate our commitm5t to ! rule 
( law1 & /r5g!n our cr$ibility ) o!r    
,conv5tion p>ties1 9 response to advance
 policy que/ions on ,july #cj1 #bjai1   
be=e ! ,committee on ,arm$ ,s]vices ( ! 
,s5ate2 ,:]eas ! curr5t ,*ief ( ,naval  
,op]ations1 ,admiral ,mi*ael ,gilday1   
fur!r /at$ t acc$+ to ! ,conv5tion w\ld 
/r5g!n our /rategic position on issues  
p]ta9+ to ! ,s\? ,*9a ,sea & ! ,arctic4 
,! ,unit$ ,/ates w\ld h increas$        
cr$ibility :5 respond+ to excessive     
m>itime claims & milit>ization ef=ts 9 !
 ,s\? ,*9a ,sea4 ,) respect to !        
,arctic1 becom+ a p>ty to ! ,conv5tion  
w\ld all[ ! ,u4,s4 to position itself to
 safegu>d access = ! purposes ( m>itime 
traffic1 res\rce exploitation1 & o!r    
human activities1 :ile ensur+ o!r /ates 
comply ) ! law ( ! sea1 9 response to   
advance policy que/ions on ,july #cj1   

#bjai1 be=e ! ,committee on ,arm$       
,s]vices ( ! ,s5ate2 ,:]eas ! curr5t    
,comm&] ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates ,indo-,pacific
 ,comm&1 ,admiral ,john ,c4 ,aquil9o1   
/at$ t !re's really two ma9 reasons to  
ratify ! ,,unclos3 z ! gr\p gets toge!r1
 x w\ld be c]ta9ly b5eficial if we _h a 
seat at ! table :5 !re 7 discussions    
occurr+ z x appli$ to pot5tial adju/m5ts
 & ! int]pretations ( ^? int]national   
laws & ! second reason is x puts u 9 an 
increas$ position ( cr$ibility ''' we   
adh]e to ! ,,unclos treaty 9 our        
op]ations1 & x w\ld make our position   
mu* /rong] if we 7 signatories1 on ,m>* 
#bc1 #bjba1 at 8 nom9ation he>+ be=e !  
,committee on ,arm$ ,s]vices ( ! ,s5ate2
 ,:]eas ! ,comm&]1 ,nor? ,am]ican       
,a]ospace ,def5se ,comm& & ,unit$ ,/ates
 ,nor!rn ,comm&1 ,g5]al ,gl5 ,van,herck1
 /at$1 ,x w\ld be 9 ! int]e/s ( ! ,unit$
 ,/ates to acc$e to ! ,,unclos because x
 gives u a bett] po/ure1 a seat at !    
table1 m cr$ibility :5 we "w _m ( !     
issues t we h to "w ar\nd ! globe )     

allies1 p>tn]s1 & pot5tial competitors1 
on ,m>* #af1 #bjba1 be=e ! ,committee on
 ,arm$ ,s]vices ( ! ,s5ate2 ,:]eas !    
,comm&]1 ,nor? ,am]ican ,a]ospace       
,def5se ,comm& & ,unit$ ,/ates ,nor!rn  
,comm&1 ,g5]al ,gl5 ,van,herck1 fur!r   
/at$ 9 reg>d to ,unit$ ,/ates           
ratification ( ! ,,unclos t z ,russia   
takes ov] ! ,arctic ,c\ncil 9 ,may      
#bjba1 x's nev] be5 m crucial = u ) our 
l-m9d$ nations & allies & p>tn]s t we   
come to agreem5t to n all[ ,russia &    
,*9a to exploit any seams & gaps1 on    
,m>* #af1 #bjba1 be=e ! ,committee on   
,arm$ ,s]vices ( ! ,s5ate2 ,:]eas !     
,comm&]1 ,nor? ,am]ican ,a]ospace       
,def5se ,comm& & ,unit$ ,/ates ,nor!rn  
,comm&1 ,g5]al ,gl5 ,van,herck1 /at$ ,i 
support ! accession to ,,unclos4 ,i ?9k 
x puts u 9 a m /rategic position :5 we  
address ^! issues int]nationally1       
globally1 ) competitors or our allies & 
p>tn]s z well1 on ,april #ad1 #bjba1    
be=e ! ,committee on ,arm$ ,s]vices ( ! 
,h\se ( ,repres5tatives2 ,:]eas !       

,comm&]1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,european ,comm&1
 ,g5]al ,tod ,wolt]s1 answ]$ 9 !        
affirmative "u que/ion+ f ,congressman  
,joe ,c\rtney on :e!r ,g5]al ,wolt]s    
support$ ! ,unit$ ,/ates becom+ a full  
p>ticipant to ! ,,unclos1 on ,april #ae1
 #bjba1 be=e ! ,committee on ,arm$      
,s]vices ( ! ,h\se ( ,repres5tatives2   
,:]eas ! pa/ ,comm&] ( ,unit$ ,/ates    
,indo-,pacific ,comm&1 ,admiral ,philip 
,s4 ,davidson1 /at$ t our accession to !
 ,,unclos w\ld help our position legally
 across ! globe & w\ld d no?+ to limit  
our milit>y op]ations 9 ! mann] 9 :i*   
we're conduct+ !m n[1 on ,april #ag1    
#bjah1 be=e ! ,committee on ,arm$       
,s]vices ( ! ,s5ate2 ,:]eas ! pa/       
,comm&] ( ,unit$ ,/ates ,indo-,pacific  
,comm&1 ,admiral ,philip ,s4 ,davidson1 
fur!r /at$1 ,i'm on record say+ t       
ratification ( ! ,,unclos w\ld be good =
 u1 ,i ?9k we w\ld be h>d-press$ to f9d 
a ,navy ,admiral t's said o!rwise1 on   
,m>* #i1 #bjba1 be=e ! ,committee on    
,arm$ ,s]vices ( ! ,s5ate2 ,:]eas ! pa/ 

,comm&] ( ,unit$ ,/ates ,pacific ,comm&1
 retir$ ,admiral ,h>ry ,b4 ,h>ris1 /at$ 
,i believe t ,,unclos gives ,russia !   
pot5tial to1 quote1 unquote #8own' almo/
 half ( ! ,arctic ,circle1 & we w n h t 
opportunity because (1 we're n a        
signatory to ,,unclos1 on ,m>* #ae1     
#bjah1 be=e ! ,committee on ,arm$       
,s]vices ( ! ,s5ate2 ,:]eas ! pa/       
,comm&] ( ,unit$ ,/ates ,pacific ,comm&1
 ,admiral ,h>ry ,b4 ,h>ris1 /at$ ,i ?9k 
t by n sign+ onto x t we lose !         
cr$ibility = ! v same ?+ t we're argu+  
=1 & :i* is ! foll[+--accept+ rules &   
norms 9 ! int]national ar5a4 ,! ,unit$  
,/ates is a beacon--we're a beacon on a 
hill b ,i ?9k t light is bright] if we  
sign on to ,,unclos1 on ,febru>y #bc1   
#bjaf1 at a he>+ be=e ! ,committee on   
,arm$ ,s]vices ( ! ,s5ate2 ,:]eas ! pa/ 
,secret>y ( ! ,navy1 ! ,honorable ,ray  
,mabus1 /at$ t ! ,,unclos treaty        
gu>antees rights su* z innoc5t passage  
?r\gh t]ritorial seas2 transit passage  
?r\gh1 "u & ov] int]national /raits2 & !

 lay+ & ma9ta9+ ( subm>9e cables1 & !   
conv5tion has be5 approv$ by ne>ly e    
m>itime p[] & all ! p]man5t memb]s ( !  
,,un ,security ,c\ncil1 except ! ,unit$ 
,/ates1 on ,febru>y #af1 #bjab1 be=e !  
,committee on ,arm$ ,s]vices ( ! ,s5ate2
 ,:]eas ! pa/ ,secret>y ( ! ,navy1 !    
,honorable ,ray ,mabus1 fur!r /at$1 ,our
 notable abs5ce z a signatory weak5s our
 position ) o!r nations1 all[+ !        
introduction ( expansive def9itions (   
sov]eignty on ! high seas t und]m9e our 
ability to def5d our m9]al rights along 
our own cont95tal %elf & 9 ! ,arctic4 & 
t ! ,dep>tm5t /rongly supports !        
accession to ,,unclos1 an action        
consi/5tly recomm5d$ by my pr$ecessors (
 bo? p>ties1 on ,febru>y #af1 #bjab1    
be=e ! ,committee on ,arm$ ,s]vices ( ! 
,s5ate2 ,:]eas ! pa/ ,*airman ( ! ,jo9t 
,*iefs ( ,/aff1 ,g5]al ,joseph ,f4      
,dun=d1 /at$1 ,! ,conv5tion provides    
legal c]ta9ty 9 ! _w's l>ge/ maneuv]    
space41 t access w\ld /r5g!n ! legal    
f\ndation = our ability to transit ?r\gh

 int]national /raits & ar*ipelagic      
wat]s2 pres]ve our "r to conduct milit>y
 activities 9 o!r c\ntries' ,exclusive  
,economic ,zones 7,e,e,zs7 )\t notice or
 p]mission2 reaffirm ! sov]eign immunity
 ( w>%ips2 provide a framework to c\nt] 
excessive m>itime claims2 & pres]ve or  
op]ations & intellig5ce-collection      
activities1 & jo9+ ! ,conv5tion w\ld    
also demon/rate our commitm5t to ! rule 
( law1 /r5g!n our cr$ibility among ^?   
nations t are already p>ty to !         
,conv5tion1 & all[ u to br+ ! full =ce (
 our influ5ce 9 *all5g+ excessive       
m>itime claims1 on ,july #i1 #bjae1 be=e
 ! ,committee on ,arm$ ,s]vices ( !     
,s5ate2 ,:]eas ! pa/ ,*airman ( ! ,jo9t 
,*iefs ( ,/aff1 ,g5]al ,joseph ,f4      
,dun=d1 fur!r /at$ t by rema9+ outside !
 ,conv5tion1 ! ,unit$ ,/ates rema9s 9   
sc>ce company ) ,iran1 ,v5ezuela1 ,nor? 
,korea1 & ,syria & by fail+ to jo9 !    
,conv5tion1 "s c\ntries may come to d\bt
 our commitm5t to act 9 accordance )    
int]national law1 on ,july #i1 #bjae1   

be=e ! ,committee on ,arm$ ,s]vices ( ! 
,s5ate2 ,:]eas ! pa/ ,presid5t & ,*ief  
,executive ,(fic] ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates     
,*amb] ( ,comm]ce1 ,mr4 ,?omas ,j4      
,donahue1 /at$ t we support jo9+ !      
,conv5tion because x is 9 our national  
int]e/--bo? 9 our national security &   
our economic int]e/s1 becom+ a p>ty to !
 ,treaty b5efits ! ,u4,s4 economically  
by provid+ ,am]ican companies ! legal   
c]ta9ty & /ability !y ne$ to hire &     
inve/1 & companies w be hesitant to take
 on ! inve/m5t risk & co/ to explore &  
develop ! res\rces ( ! sea--p>ticul>ly  
on ! ext5d$ cont95tal %elf 7,,ecs7--)\t 
! legal c]ta9ty & /ability accession to 
,,los provides1 on ,june #bh1 #bjab1    
be=e ! ,committee on ,=eign ,relations (
 ! ,s5ate2 ,:]eas ! pa/ ,presid5t &     
,*ief ,executive ,(fic] ( ! ,unit$      
,/ates ,*amb] ( ,comm]ce1 ,mr4 ,?omas   
,j4 ,donahue1 fur!r /at$ t ! b5efits (  
jo9+ cut across _m important indu/ries  
includ+ telecommunications1 m9+1 %ipp+1 
& oil & natural gas1 & jo9+ ! ,conv5tion

 w provide ! ,u4,s4 a critical voice on 
m>itime issues--f m9]al claims 9 !      
,arctic to h[ ,int]national ,seab$      
,au?ority 7,,isa7 funds are di/ribut$1  
on ,june #bh1 #bjab1 be=e ! ,committee  
on ,=eign ,relations ( ! ,s5ate2 ,:]eas 
! pa/ ,comm&ant ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates ,coa/ 
,gu>d1 retir$ ,admiral ,paul ,zukunft1  
/at$ on ,febru>y #ab1 #bjaf1 ,) ! rec$+ 
( ! icepack1 ! ,arctic ,ocean has become
 ! focus ( int]national int]e/41 ,all   
,arctic /ates agree t ! ,law ( ! ,sea   
,conv5tion is ! gov]n+ legal regime = ! 
,arctic ,ocean ''' yet1 we rema9 ! only 
,arctic nation t has n ratifi$ ! v      
in/rum5t t provides ?is accept$ legal   
framework gov]n+ ! ,arctic ,ocean & its 
seab$41 & ,ratification ( ! ,law ( !    
,sea ,conv5tion supports our economic   
int]e/s1 environm5tal protection1 &     
safety ( life at sea1 especially 9 !    
,arctic ,ocean42 ,:]eas ! pa/ ,*ief (   
,naval ,op]ations1 ,admiral ,john ,m4   
,ri*>dson1 /at$ t acc$+ to ! ,conv5tion 
w\ld /r5g!n our cr$ibility & /rategic   

position1 & we und]m9e our lev]age by n 
sign+ up to ! same rule book by :i* we  
are ask+ o!r c\ntries to accept1 on     
,july #cj1 #bjae1 9 8 nom9ation he>+    
be=e ! ,committee on ,arm$ ,s]vices ( ! 
,s5ate2 ,:]eas ! pa/ ,*ief ( ,naval     
,op]ations1 ,admiral ,john ,m4          
,ri*>dson1 fur!r /at$ t becom+ a "p ( ! 
,,unclos w\ld give u a great deal (     
cr$ibility1 & p>ticul>ly z x p]ta9s to !
 unfold+ opportunities 9 ! ,arctic1 &   
?is provides a framework to adjudicate  
disputes1 on ,july #cj1 #bjae1 9 8      
nom9ation he>+ be=e ! ,committee on     
,arm$ ,s]vices ( ! ,s5ate2 & ,:]eas !   
pa/ ,unit$ ,/ates ,special              
,repres5tative ( ,/ate = ! ,arctic & =m]
 ,comm&ant ( ! ,coa/ ,gu>d1 ,admiral    
,rob]t ,papp1 ,jr41 /at$ t z a non-p>ty 
to ! ,law ( ! ,sea ,conv5tion1 ! ,u4,s4 
is at a significant disadvantage        
relative to ! o!r ,arctic ,ocean coa/al 
,/ates1 ^? ,/ates are p>ties to !       
,conv5tion1 & are well along ! pa? to   
obta9+ legal c]ta9ty & int]national     

recognition ( _! ,arctic ext5d$         
cont95tal %elf1 & becom+ a ,p>ty to !   
,law ( ! ,sea ,conv5tion w\ld all[ !    
,unit$ ,/ates to fully secure its rights
 to ! cont95tal %elf (f ! coa/ (        
,alaska1 :i* is likely to ext5d out to m
 ?an #fjj nautical miles1 on ,decemb]   
#aj1 #bjad1 be=e ! ,subcommittee on     
,europe1 ,eurasia1 & ,em]g+ ,?reats ( ! 
,committee on ,=eign ,affairs ( ! ,h\se 
( ,repres5tatives3 ,n[1 !re=e1 be x  ,t 
! ,s5ate-- 7#a7 affirms t x is 9 !      
national int]e/ = ! ,unit$ ,/ates to    
become a =mal signatory ( ! ,unit$      
,nations ,conv5tion on ! ,law ( ! ,sea  
7,,unclos71 done at ,montego ,bay       
,decemb] #aj1 #aihb2  7#b7 urges !      
,unit$ ,/ates ,s5ate to give its advice 
& cons5t to ! ratification ( ! ,,unclos2
 &  7#c7 recomm5ds ! ratification ( !   
,,unclos rema9 a top priority = ! ,f$]al
 ,gov]nm5t1 ! importance ( :i* 0 mo/    
rec5tly und]scor$ by ! /rategic *all5ges
 ! ,unit$ ,/ates faces 9 !              
,asia-,pacific1 ! ,arctic1 & ! ,black   

,sea regions4