Congresswoman Janice Hahn (D-CA) and Congressman Ted Poe (R-TX), Co-Founders of the bi-partisan PORTS Caucus were honored with the distinguished American Association of Port Authorities 2013 “Port Person of the Year” award at the association’s annual spring conference in Washington, DC.
“ I am honored to accept this prestigious award with my friend and colleague, Congressman Poe ,” said Congresswoman Hahn. “ Occasions of bipartisanship in this city are few and far between, especially now when our nation’s economic future hinges on cooperation and compromise. The fact that Ted and I are accepting this joint award in Washington, DC is a testament to what can be achieved when common goals trump partisan labels.”
“ Ted and I teamed up to ensure that our ports play a prominent role in our national policy discussions, and this award is a ringing endorsement of the PORTS Caucus’ progress. The impact of our ports reaches far beyond harbor communities, into the foundations of our economy and our national security. As the Co-Chair of the PORTS Caucus and a member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, I will continue to promote projects that safeguard the economic vitality and security of our nation’s ports,” Hahn added.
AAPA selected U.S. Representatives Hahn and Poe to receive its most prestigious annual award based on their strong commitment to advancing the issues of the port industry and their bi-partisan, co-founding of the PORTS Caucus which brings together lawmakers from across the political spectrum to work together on strengthening and securing America’s seaports. The PORTS Caucus now includes more than 80 U.S. House members from across the country.
“ In selecting these two seaport advocates for this award, we’re recognizing a pair of national leaders who understand the critical importance of ports, ” said AAPA U.S. Delegation Chairman Adolph Ojard, executive director of the Duluth Seaway Port Authority . “ Thanks to their focused efforts, we have more public recognition in this country that by maintaining our waterways and investing in port-related infrastructure, future generations will reap the benefits.”
Founded in 1912, AAPA today represents 160 of the leading seaport authorities in the United States, Canada, Latin America and the Caribbean and more than 300 sustaining and associate members, firms and individuals with an interest in seaports. As a critical link for access to the global marketplace, each year, western hemisphere seaports generate trillions of dollars of economic activity, support the employment of millions of people and, in 2008, imported and exported more than 7.8 billion tons of cargo, valued at $8.6 trillion, including food, clothing, medicine, fuel and building materials, as well as consumer electronics and toys.
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Press Release, March 21, 2013