; Whereas the Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral John M. Richardson, further stated, “that becoming a part of [UNCLOS] would give us a great deal of credibility, and particularly as it pertains to the unfolding opportunities in the Arctic”, and, “this provides a framework to adjudicate disputes”, on July 30, 2015, before the Senate Armed Services Committee; Whereas the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Asian and Pacific Security Affairs, the Honorable David Shear, stated, “that while the United States operates consistent with the United Nations convention on the law of the sea, we've seen positive momentum in promoting shared rules of the road”, and, “our efforts would be greatly strengthened by Senate ratification of UNCLOS”, on September 17, 2015, before the Senate Armed Services Committee; Whereas the Commander of United States Pacific Command, Admiral Harry B. Harris, stated that “all maritime claims must be derived from land features in accordance with international law as reflected in the Law of the Sea Convention, and any disputes should be settled peacefully and in accordance with international law”, and, “our efforts would be greatly strengthened by Senate ratification of UNCLOS”, on September 17, 2015, before the Senate Armed Services Committee; Whereas the Commander of United States Pacific Command, Admiral Harry Harris, stated “I think that by not signing onto it that we lose the creditability for the very same thing that we're arguing for”, and “which is the following—accepting rules and norms in the international arena. The United States is a beacon—we’re a beacon on a hill but I think that light is brighter if we sign on to UNCLOS”, on February 23, 2016, at a hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee