News Release

NEW YORK, NY – The U.S. Coast Guard celebrates 220 years of service to America Wednesday, and the service will commerorate this event at Federal Hall here, courtesy of the U.S. Park Service, custodian of this historic building.

“Coast Guardsmen are agile, adaptable and multi-missioned,” said Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Robert J. Papp, Jr.  “Born as revenue cuttermen, lighthouse keepers, steamboat inspectors and surfmen, we have expanded to meet the maritime needs of our nation.  As Coast Guard men and women, we share a bond of pride in our rich heritage and a common purpose to uphold our honorable traditions.

The connection between the Coast Guard and New York City is as old as the Coast Guard itself. The service’s founding father is Alexander Hamilton, one of the nation’s founding fathers and an influential figure in the creation of the U.S. Constitution and our system of government. 

From its genesis as the Revenue Marine, the Coast Guard has evolved to become the world’s premiere multi-mission, maritime service, conducting operations around the globe to execute its 11 missions.  

"We are still keepers of the lights," said Papp. "But we also now patrol far more distant waters. We readily go wherever there are important, difficult and dangerous maritime duties to be performed.”

New York City continues to hold an important place in Coast Guard history, just as the Coast Guard has played a role in New York City history. Together with fellow first responders in federal, state and city law enforcement, the Coast Guard shares the responsibility of keeping New York City safe from all enemies foreign and domestic. There is no more important mission for the Coast Guard than the security of our nation’s ports and waterways.

The Coast Guard began its service to America in 1790 within the Treasury Department as the Revenue Marine, later renamed the Revenue Cutter Service.  The Revenue Cutter Service joined with the U.S. Lifesaving Service in 1915 to create the Coast Guard.  The U.S. Lighthouse Service was added to the U.S. Coast Guard in 1939, followed by the Steamboat Inspection Service in 1946.  The Coast Guard transferred from the Treasury Department to the Department of Transportation in 1967 and to the Department of Homeland Security in 2003.The ceremony at Federal Hall includes an art exhibition of 41 original works by noted artists, including several from New York.

The public is invited to attend.

The ceremonial events will be as follows:

1130 a.m. – The Brass Quintet from the U.S. Coast Guard Band will commence a short concert on the steps of Federal hall.

1200 p.m. – Art program docent Karen Loew, a noted New York City artist, will open the program.

1215 p.m. – Chief Warrant Officer Raymond Pagan, US Coast Guard, will give a presentation on the link between the Coast Guard and Alexander Hamilton

1230 p.m. – Captain Linda Fagan, Captain of the Port of New York and Commanding Officer of US Coast Guard forces in New York and northern New Jersey, will give a presentation on the historic and current ties between New York City and the Coast Guard and the role that the unique Coast Guard Art Program plays in the service.

1245 p.m. – Karen Loew will conclude the ceremony, invite all to view the exhibition and answer any questions about the Coast Guard’s Art Program.

1250 p.m. – The Brass Quintet will perform a second concert.

All participants are available for interviews after the ceremonial events.

The media is invited to attend. Please contact Mr. Charles Rowe (718) 354-2359 for further details