U.S. congressman bags ‘Champion of Maritime’ award

The American Maritime Partnership (AMP) on Monday the 2018 ‘Champion of Maritime’ Award on U.S. Congressman John Garamendi. 

Through his years of work in the U.S. Congress, Garamendi has been unwavering and ardent supporter of the domestic maritime industry, which includes the men and women who build, operate and crew the tens of thousands of vessels that transport goods and people safely in the more than 95,000 miles of U.S. coastline and inland waterways, the American Maritime Partnership said in a statement.

The ‘Champion of Maritime’ Award is the AMP’s highest award and recognizes extraordinary support and dedication to the American maritime industry. It was provided during a ceremony in Garamendi’s home state of California at California State University Maritime Academy on September 17, 2018.

“Rep. Garamendi’s longstanding support for U.S. maritime is demonstrated through his work as ranking member of the House Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee of the House Transportation Committee and recognition of the critical function of the domestic maritime industry for national security by providing the necessary manning needs through the ready availability of domestic mariners in a national emergency,” the AMP statement said.

According to the AMP, the maritime provides thousands of family-wage jobs and adds more than $6.6 billion annually to California’s economy alone. In addition to his work to promoting this contribution, Rep. Garamendi also recognizes the importance of this industry to the nation’s economic, national, and homeland security interests. Nationwide, the domestic maritime industry accounts for approximately 500,000 American jobs and more than $100 billion in annual economic impact, according to the AMP.

“When we think about all the issues at the forefront of American politics right now—good-paying jobs, energy independence, national security, trade, and rebuilding our manufacturing sector—the American maritime industry is at the forefront of all of them. Unfortunately, it’s not on the minds of many of our leaders in Washington. I’m proud of the work we’re doing together to change that. The successes we’ve had for our domestic maritime industry would not be possible without the tireless efforts of the American Maritime Partnership, and I couldn’t be more honored to receive the Champion of Maritime Award. I also want to thank the Propeller Club of Northern California, the California State University Maritime Academy, and my Maritime Advisory Committee for bringing the maritime community together today to discuss the challenges and opportunities before us. As a united maritime industry, we will continue to rebuild this critical sector to advance America’s national and economic security,” said Rep. Garamendi.

“It is hard to imagine a more tireless supporter of our industry. When the American maritime industry faces a challenge or an opportunity, we can be sure with absolute certainty that Rep. Garamendi will be a leader for the men and women of American maritime,” said Matt Woodruff, Chairman of the American Maritime Partnership. “At the top of our list, he is a leading champion of the Jones Act, the fundamental law of the American maritime industry which is essential to the strength of our domestic, homeland and national security. Due to Rep. Garamendi’s dedication to our industry, we can think of no better leader to bestow AMP’s highest honor – the Champion of Maritime.”