Wittman Receives Award for Support of Maritime Industry

Wittman Receives Award for Support of Maritime Industry

WASHINGTON – This week, Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-01) was selected to receive the International Propeller Club Legislator Award for his longtime support of the United States maritime industry. Each year, the International Propeller Club selects one member of Congress who has demonstrated consistent support for the maritime industry and the United States-flag Merchant Marine.

"Continued Congressional support of a healthy commercial maritime industry is essential to domestic security," Wittman said. "Despite the usage of heavy lift aircraft, large oceangoing vessels remain crucial to military mobility in the 21st century. U.S. troops stationed in the Middle East and Afghanistan receive much of their supplies via U.S. flag vessels because of their capacity and low cost. In the long-term, we must find ways to rebuild the U.S. shipbuilding infrastructure and commercial shipping industry – because, in the end, it is much more strategic than lowering transportation costs. I am truly humbled to receive this award and will continue to work each day to be deserving of this honor."



"Representative Wittman has certainly earned the Salute to Congress honor with his outstanding support for the U.S. maritime industry," said the Propeller Club's International President, Rear Adm. Joe Whitehead, USCG (retired). "We are grateful for his leadership of the Seapower subcommittee and of the Shipbuilding Caucus."

The International Propeller Club of the United States is a non-profit, international association dedicated to the promotion of the maritime industry, commerce and global trade. Through more than 75 chapters located in port cities in the U.S. and abroad, the Propeller Club promotes the maritime industry and contributes to professional development of its members.

Past recipients of the award include then-Speaker of the House Thomas P. "Tip" O'Neill, the first honoree in 1985, and then-Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott in 1997. Recent honorees include Sen. Roger Wicker, Rep. John Garamendi, and Sen. Mazie Hirono, last year's recipient.

Congressman Rob Wittman represents the 1st District of Virginia. He serves on the House Natural Resources Committee and the House Armed Services Committee, where he is the Chairman of the Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee.

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