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Norman Mineta News

22 Jan 2014

Boxer, Shuster to be AAPA’s 2014 ‘Port Persons of Year’

U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and U.S. Rep. Bill Shuster  (R-PA) have been jointly selected to receive the American Association of Port Authorities’ (AAPA) 2014 “Port Person of the Year” award. The bi-partisan nomination for AAPA’s most prestigious annual award was submitted by the California Association of Port Authorities (CAPA). Marking its 102nd year as the Western Hemisphere’s leading trade association representing port authorities, AAPA selected Sen. Boxer and Cong. Shuster based on their dedication to improving America’s water resources, infrastructure and freight transportation policy. Their work toward reforming federal water resources development legislation…

04 Feb 2013

AAPA to Honor Hahn, Poe

U.S. Representative Ted Poe (R-TX)

U.S. Reps Janice Hahn & Ted Poe to Accept AAPA’s ‘Port Person of Year’ Award at March 19 Event in D.C.; AAPA’s 2013 ‘Spring Conference’ to focus on key seaport priorities: infrastructure, security, trade. U.S. Representatives Janice Hahn (D-CA) and Ted Poe (R-TX) will be honored on March 19 as the American Association of Port Authorities’ (AAPA) 2013 “Port Persons of the Year” during the association’s annual Spring Conference event, March 18-19, at The Renaissance Washington, DC Downtown Hotel.

26 Jan 2012

Mica is AAPA 'Port Person of the Year'

U.S. Rep. John Mica

U.S. Rep. John Mica To Accept AAPA ‘Port Person Of Year’ Award At March 20 Event Luncheon. AAPA Centennial ‘Spring Conference’ Speakers Will Focus On Raising Priorities For Freight Infrastructure. U.S. Congressman John Mica (R-FL) will be honored on March 20 as the American Association of Port Authorities’ (AAPA) “Port Person of the Year” during the association’s 100th anniversary Spring Conference event, March 19-20, at The Renaissance Washington, DC Downtown Hotel. Celebrating its first century as the Western Hemisphere’s leading trade association representing port authorities…

07 Oct 2009

Crew of 5 American Vessels Honored for Bravery

The officers and crews of five American ships and a seafarer who extinguished a fire on a vessel will be honored for heroism by United Seamen's Service at the 40th annual Admiral of the Ocean Sea dinner on November 13, 2009. The AOTOS honors this year will go to Donald Kurz of Keystone Shipping Co., Ron Widdows of Neptune Orient Lines and the United States Coast Guard, which will receive a special award. The Honored Seafarer awards will go to the officers and crew of the Maersk Alabama, who fought off a pirate attack while maintaining control of the ship 350 miles off the coast of Somalia and whose captain was taken hostage, April 8-13, 2009.

11 Mar 2009

CG Foundation Honors 14th District

The Coast Guard Foundation, a non-profit organization committed to the education, welfare and morale of all Coast Guard members and their families, announced today its Annual Tribute to the United States Coast Guard’s Fourteenth District will take place on Thursday, March 12, 2009 in Honolulu, Hawaii. Honoring local Coast Guard members who protect coastline shores from the Hawaiian Islands to Guam, the gala’s Chairman is Mr. Lee Webber, publisher and president of the Honolulu Advertiser; the Master of Ceremonies will be Mr. Michael Perry, a recognized name in Hawaiian broadcast history; and the Guest of Honor and Keynote Speaker will be former Secretary of Transportation, Norman Mineta.

05 Mar 2008

Senator Byrd Named Port Person Of The Year

U.S. Sen. Robert Byrd (D-WV) will be honored as the American Association of Port Authorities' (AAPA) "Port Person of the Year" at the port association's annual Washington People's Luncheon on April 1 in Washington, D.C.'s historic Willard Inter-Continental Hotel. AAPA - a trade organization representing the leading public ports in the Western Hemisphere - selected Sen. Byrd to receive its most prestigious annual award based on his strong advocacy in Congress for increasing cargo and facility security at America's seaports. In addition to receiving the "Port Person" award, Sen. Byrd will serve as the luncheon's keynote speaker. During his remarks…

23 Apr 2001

Bush Administration Deems Jones Act ‘Essential’

In its first public statement on the Jones Act, the Bush Administration has declared the law must be maintained as “an essential element of U.S. maritime policy that provides important economic and national security benefits to the nation, such as support of the U.S. Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta made the statement in response to a written question following his confirmation hearing before the Senate Commerce Committee. The Jones Act requires that cargo moving between U.S. ports be carried in vessels that are U.S.-owned, -built and -crewed. Similar U.S. cabotage laws reserve the movement of passengers and the performance of marine services such as dredging, towing and salvage to U.S.-owned, -built and -crewed vessels.

28 Jan 2002

Bush Gives Speech on Homeland Security Budget

With Director of Homeland Security Tom Ridge, Secretary of Transportation Norman Mineta, and a contingent of Coast Guard personnel standing behind him, President Bush delivered a Speech announcing that he intends to seek major budget increases to fund homeland security. The budget proposal to be submitted to Congress will seek $38 billion for homeland security, of which $11 billion would be devoted to controlling the U.S. borders. The President also discussed his admiration for the Coast Guard and its many missions. A fact sheet released by the White House in conjunction with the President's speech indicates that the Coast Guard's budget for homeland security-related missions would be increased by $282 million…

24 Jan 2002

Mineta Delivers Speech on Maritime Security

Secretary of Transportation Norman Mineta delivered a Speech to the U.S. Conference of Mayors in which he discussed homeland security in general and maritime security in particular. He noted that maritime commerce is the most dominant component of the U.S. international trade infrastructure. He discussed the numerous security zones established by the Coast Guard, the Sea Marshal program, the 96-hour notice of arrival requirement, and efforts to enhance container security. Source: HK Law

20 Mar 2002

MITAGS To Host Conference

MITAGS will host the national conference, “Maritime Careers: Implementing the Action Plans for Recruiting and Retaining Mariners” at Linthicum Heights Campus on May 1-2, 2002. Glen Paine, executive director, Maritime Institute of Technology & Graduate Studies (MITAGS) and Pacific Maritime Institute (PMI), Seattle, Wash., announced that MITAGS would host a national conference for national consensus on mariner recruitment and retention at its Linthicum Heights campus on May 1 and May 2, 2002. The American Merchant Marine has been impacted by a critical loss of professional mariners in recent years. The aim of this conference is to build a national consensus and plan that will project a positive image of mariners and create an appreciative awareness of the maritime industry.

08 Mar 2001

USCG Towboat Licensing Rules Are Still Pending

The saga of the USCG modification of the towing licensing rules continues. On Oct. 27, 2000 the USCG delayed by six months the implementation of the new towboat licensing requirements published November 19, 1999. They were to go into effect on Nov. 20, 2000. As you may recall, these rules make far reaching changes to the licensing system for towing vessels. They completely split towboat license off from the rest of the maritime licensing system. In general terms towboat licenses will not be accepted in non-towing service and visa versa. In the future, mariners without a specific endorsement for Towing on their license will not be able to operate a towing vessel.

07 Jun 2002

Rear Admiral Paul Pluta Redefines Maritime Security

Rear Admiral (RADM) Paul Pluta, the man in charge of ensuring the security of the 361 ports and 95,000 miles of coastline in the U.S., had to quickly shift gears in the hours following September 11. Hired initially to beef up environmental protection and passenger vessel safety, Pluta realized after that day, that his role as Assistant Commandant for Marine Safety, Security and Environmental Protection, U.S. Coast Guard, had changed dramatically in the hours following. September 11 began like any other for RADM Pluta. Working out of his office in Washington, D.C. where he was appointed to earlier that year by Coast Guard Admiral James Loy…

20 Jun 2002

DOT Grants Will Help Enhance Security Measures

Seaport security grants totaling $92.3 million announced by Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Norman Mineta on June 17 will help provide urgently needed funding to the nation's port authorities for security enhancements. Ninety-five percent of the nation's overseas trade by volume moves through ports. Since September 11, 2001, ports have invested millions of dollars to improve security at marine terminals. The DOT funding will help a number of them conduct port vulnerability assessments, and continue to improve security measures such as personnel (a recurring annual cost), gate and entry controls, surveillance systems, lighting, X-ray equipment, fencing and radiation detection equipment.

17 Jul 2002

PORT SECURITY: Status Report since 9/11

This article focuses on the necessity to craft an effective network system while meeting the government's objectives in the basic rules for security and surveillance of Ports throughout America. This approach explores, from a programmatic perspective, the notion that dealing with the safety issues facing Homeland Security can be successfully accomplished only if technology interconnects the various agencies defending our Ports. It should be noted that system integration can be achieved with technology that exists today, incorporating wireless and broadband services through a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to which all United States Administrators of Defense will have access. Defense budgeting with the intent to fight terrorism is here to stay.

01 Aug 2005

Crowley Awarded Ship Management Contracts for RFF Vessels

The U.S. (RRF) ships respectively. Crowley Maritime Corporation. American owned and operated ship management firms. and Iraq," U.S. Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta said. said Tom Crowley, Jr., chairman, president and CEO. administration. this a successful operation. the Atlantic, Pacific, and Gulf coasts of the United States. also are kept in a pre-positioned status overseas. South Carolina. the company's performance. activation call goes out. Administrator John Jamian said. continued access to cargo capacity. aid to Haiti and participating in the December 2004 tsunami relief efforts.

11 Aug 2005

President signs Transportation Act

President George W. Bush signs the Transportation Equity Act, at the Caterpillar facility in Montgomery, Ill., Wednesday, Aug. 10, 2005. Joining the President on stage in front row, from left, are Congressman Ray LaHood, R-Ill.; Congresswoman Melissa L. Bean, D-Ill.; Congressman Jim Oberstar, D-Minn.; Congressman Tom Petri, R-Wis.; Senator Kit Bond, R-Mo.; U.S. Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta; Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert, R-Ill.; Congressman Bill Thomas, R-Calif.; and Congressman Bobby Rush, D-Ill. President Bush signed into law the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) – H.R.

21 Mar 2007

AAPA Selects Panama's President as Port Person of the Year

At its annual Spring Conference yesterday, the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) announced the selection of Panama President Martin Torrijos as the association’s “Port Person of the Year” for his leadership in promoting maritime commerce. Specifically, President Torrijos is being honored for his efforts to spearhead the US$5.5 billion project to expand the 92-year-old Panama Canal, and to promote continued development of Panama’s seaports. “The Panama Canal expansion will have a profound effect on United States, Canadian, South American and Caribbean maritime businesses and will help facilitate the movement of the dramatic increases in global trade expected in the coming years,” said AAPA President and CEO Kurt Nagle.

26 Jun 2006

Norman Mineta Submits Resignation

submitted his Letter of Resignation, effective July 7. reluctantly accepted the resignation. In his statement, President Bush said, Norman Mineta has served America with integrity, dedication, and distinction. He leaves his position as the longest-serving Secretary of Transportation in our Nation's history. Norm's life is a story of determination, courage, and service. As a child, he lived in an internment camp. As a young man, he wore his country's uniform in Korea and Japan. From there, he went on to become a mayor, a congressman, and a Cabinet Secretary under two Presidents. As my Secretary of Transportation, Norm performed a crucial role on September 11, 2001, leading the successful effort to bring tens of thousands of passengers aboard commercial aircraft to safe landings.

22 May 2006

Richardson and Veitch to Receive Awards

The United Seamen’s Service (USS) 2006 Admiral of the Ocean Sea Awards will be presented to container shipping pioneer Paul F. Richardson, President of Paul F. Richardson Associates Inc., and Colin Veitch, President and CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line, which has commenced new American-flag passenger ship activity. The maritime industry honor will be awarded at a gala industry dinner and dance to be held at the Sheraton New York Hotel and Towers, New York City, on November 3, 2006. John Bowers, Chairman of the USS AOTOS Committee and President of the International Longshoremen’s Association, AFL-CIO, made the announcement on Maritime Day May 22, 2006. Richardson and Veitch led the field of nominees for the award, sought by USS from over 150 maritime management, labor and government officials.

22 May 2006

MarAd Recognizes National Maritime Day

In 1933, the U.S. Congress decreed May 22nd as National Maritime Day. Each year since then, May 22nd has become the day the United States observes its proud maritime heritage, honors the men and women who serve or have served as merchant mariners, and recognizes the many benefits that today’s maritime industry provides. This year, National Maritime Day comes on the heels of National Transportation Week, which, according to U.S. The United States maritime industry is a critical part of the transportation network that moves goods worldwide from where they are grown, mined or manufactured to where they are ultimately consumed. It also provides for passenger transportation, both for business and pleasure.

20 Jan 2006

Transport Ministers Vow Crackdown on Terrorism, Piracy

By Steven L Herman, Auxiliary Public Information Officer, U.S. TOKYO - For the first time, ministers responsible for transportation security have made coordinated plans to prevent future terrorist attacks. Transportation ministers from 14 countries met in Tokyo (Jan. 12-13) and announced their unanimous commitment to greater international cooperation on transportation security and, in particular, to take all possible measures to thwart terrorism targeting public transport systems. Maritime security was high on the agenda of the first Ministerial Conference on International Transport Security and of particular focus were small cargo ships, fishing vessels, harbor tugs, and boats like the one used to launch the October 20, 2000 attack on the USS Cole in Yemen.

29 Aug 2002

DOT Secretary Mineta to Give Keynote Address at AAPA Convention

U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta will address port authority leaders from across the Western Hemisphere on Tuesday, September 24, 2002, at the Breakers Hotel in Palm Beach, Florida. Secretary Mineta will address delegates and guests at the 91st Annual Convention of the American Association of Port Authorities AAPA), from 12:45 to 2:15 p.m. on Tuesday's luncheon, in the Venetian Ballroom. "We're really pleased that the Secretary will join us to address some very important port issues," said Kurt J. Nagle, AAPA president. Secretary Mineta will likely talk about port security, the new Transportation Security Administration, reauthorization of the Transportation Efficiency Act of 2001 (TEA 21), and the need for SEA 21 legislation.

09 Sep 2002

U.S. Transportation Secretary Mineta to Commission Anti-Terror Unit

Secretary of Transportation Norman Mineta presented 18 Transportation 9-11 Medals to government security officials and commission the Coast Guard’s newest anti-terror team at the Coast Guard base on Terminal Island, 2 p.m. Sunday, September 8. The new medal is awarded to employees of the Department of Transportation and private citizens for meritorious service resulting from the unique and outstanding achievement in response to the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. The commissioning ceremony for Maritime Safety and Security Team (MSST) 91103 is a military ceremony that marks the operational status of the unit. The MSST is a specialized fast-response unit created in response to the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11.