U.S. Census Bureau Daily Feature for August 4

WASHINGTON, Aug. 4 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Following is the daily "Profile America" feature from the U.S. Census Bureau:

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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 4: COAST GUARD

Profile America — Wednesday, August 4th.  Today marks the founding of the U.S. Coast Guard in 1790.  At this time, the coast guard is very much in the public eye, with its major role in battling the huge oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.  The Coast Guard is responsible for the safety and security of the nation's inland waters, ports and harbors as well as its coastlines and ocean approaches. The service employs just over 35,000 uniformed men and women, smaller than the New York City police force.  In an average day, the U.S. Coast Guard saves 10 lives, aids 192 people in distress, and seizes nearly 500 pounds of drugs.  Annually, the service also stops more than 4,800 illegal migrants headed for the U.S.  You can find these and more facts about America from the U.S. Census Bureau, online at www.census.gov.

Sources:  Chase's Calendar of Events 2010, p. 400

www.uscgboating.org

Statistical Abstract of the United States 2010, p. 514, 581

Profile America is produced by the Public Information Office of the U.S. Census Bureau. These daily features are available as produced segments, ready to air, on a monthly CD or on the Internet at http://www.census.gov (look for "Multimedia Gallery" by the "Newsroom" button).  

SOURCE U.S. Census Bureau