Leadership Service News

On February 12, 2019, Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) received Waterways Council, Inc.'s (WCI) 18th Annual Leadership Service Award for her continual championing of ports and inland waterways. She was presented the award by Wade Beasley, Business Representative, Carpenters Local 174, Chicago Regional Council of Carpenters. WCI President & CEO Mike Toohey said, “Senator Duckworth is an American hero, and a stalwart advocate for the inland waterways in her state of Illinois, and throughout the United States.

On February 14, 2018, Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) received Waterways Council, Inc.'s (WCI) 17th Annual Leadership Service Award for his strong and continued leadership on ports and inland waterways issues. He was presented the award by Stephen Little, Chairman of Crounse Corporation. WCI President & CEO Mike Toohey said, “We were honored to have the opportunity to celebrate Senator McConnell, who has been a stalwart advocate for the inland waterways in his state of Kentucky, but throughout the United States. Also on February 14, 2018, recently retired former U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Chief of the Navigation Branch Jeffrey A. McKee received the 2018 Waterways Counsel Award for his diligence and leadership in working with the waterways industry.

U.S. Senator and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) will receive the 17th Annual Waterways Council, Inc. Leadership Service Award on Wednesday evening, February 14, 2018 at the Watergate Hotel in Washington, D.C. “Waterways Council is so fortunate to have the opportunity to honor Senator McConnell, a great waterways advocate and to thank him publicly for his commitment to America’s critical waterways infrastructure, to jobs, and to competitive access,” said Michael J. Toohey, President/CEO of Waterways Council, Inc.

Crowley Maritime Corp. has awarded a Thomas B. Crowley Sr. Memorial Scholarship to Tyler Gray-Hoehn, class of 2018 at the Webb Institute, a highly-selective undergraduate institution in Glen Cove, N.Y., specializing in naval architecture and marine engineering. Gray-Hoehn, who hails from Brookfield, Wisc., was recognized for his dedication, academic excellence and leadership as a student Webb. He is senior class president and vice president of the Webb Institute’s Student Organization (SO), and has also been Webb’s Motor Boat Chair, Van Chair and a member of the Honor Council.

Waterways Council, Inc. (WCI) presented the 14th Annual Leadership Service Awards to Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) and Senator David Vitter (R-La.) for their “strong and continued leadership on ports and inland waterways issues,” WCI announced.    Senators Alexander and Vitter were presented their awards on February 11, 2015 at a ceremony in Washington, D.C.

Waterways Council, Inc. WCI will recognize Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) and Senator David Vitter (R-La.) for their “steadfast championship of the inland waterways” at its 14th Annual Leadership Service Awards on February 11. WCI will also hold its 2015 Washington Meetings, February 10-12, 2015, which include the Waterways Seminar. All events will take place at the St. Regis Hotel, 923 16th Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 8:30 a.m. 12‐4:30 p.m. 5:30-7 p.m. 9 a.m.‐5 p.m. 5:30‐9 p.m. 8‐9 a.m. 9-11:30 a.m.

Congressman Ed Whitfield (R-Ky.) was presented Waterways Council, Inc.'s (WCI) 13th Annual Leadership Service Award for his strong and continued leadership on ports and inland waterways issues. Congressman Whitfield was presented the Leadership Service Award on February 12, 2014 in Washington, DC. Most recently, Whitfield served as a critical champion to introduce, with 31 bipartisan cosponsors, legislation, Waterways are Vital for the Economy, Energy, Efficiency, and Environment Act of 2013 (WAVE 4, H.R. 1149), in the Water Resources Reform and Development Act (WRRDA), now in conference.

U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-Pa.) and Congressman Ed Whitfield (R-Ky.) will receive the 13th Annual Waterways Council, Inc. Leadership Service Awards on Wednesday evening, February 12, 2014 at the St. Regis Hotel in Washington, D.C. Senator Casey has served the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in the Senate since 2007. He is a member of the Senate Finance Committee and Chairman of the Subcommittee on Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Growth. He also serves on the Senate Committees on Health…

U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) will receive the 12th Annual Waterways Council, Inc. Leadership Service Award on March 19, 2013 at the Loews Madison Hotel in Washington, DC. He will receive the award during WCI’s Washington Seminar at approximately 2:45 p.m. Senator Durbin is the 47th Senator from the State of Illinois, the state’s senior senator and the convener of Illinois’ bipartisan Congressional delegation. He serves as the Assistant Majority Leader/Majority Whip, the second highest ranking position in the Senate.

Waterways Council, Inc. (WCI) presented Congressman Nick Rahall, II, (WV) Ranking Member of the House Transportation & Infrastructure (T&I) Committee, with its 11th Annual Leadership Service Award on February 15, 2012 in Washington, DC. The award recognizes champions of the nation’s inland waterways and port system. Rep. Rahall has served on the T&I Committee for 34 years, his entire tenure in Congress, and has been a key architect in the formulation of every Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) since coming to Congress…

U.S. Congressman Nick Rahall to receive 11th Annual Waterways Council Leadership Service Award. U.S. Congressman Nick J. Rahall, II (WV-03) will receive the Eleventh Annual Waterways Council, Inc. Leadership Service Award on Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Washington, DC. A reception will be held at 6 p.m., followed by dinner and the Leadership Award presentation. U.S. Representative Rahall, a West Virginia native who represents his state’s Third Congressional District…

Congressman Hal Rogers (R-KY), Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee (center), was presented Waterways Council, Inc.'s (WCI) 10th Annual Leadership Service Award from Cornel Martin, WCI President and CEO (left) and Rick Calhoun, WCI Chairman of the Board (right).  Rep. Rogers was presented the WCI award for his work championing ports and waterways issues at a dinner on February 16, 2011 in Washington, DC.

Waterways Council, Inc. (WCI) announced the dates of its 2011 Washington Meetings, February 15-17, 2011, which include the Waterways Seminar and the Leadership Service Award Dinner. All events will take place at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, 1330 Maryland Ave., SW, Washington, DC. Tuesday, Feb. Wednesday, Feb. Thursday, Feb. For questions contact Medina Moran, 703-373-2261 ([email protected]).

Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) will receive the Ninth Annual Waterways Council, Inc. Leadership Service Award on Wednesday, February 24, 2010, at 6 p.m. at the W Hotel, Washington, DC. As one of the principal leaders in the effort to get the Navigation and Ecosystem Sustainability Program (NESP) authorized in the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2007, Senator Grassley will be honored for his strong support for the improvement of the Nation’s ports and commercial inland waterways system…

Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) will receive the Eighth Annual Waterways Council, Inc. Leadership Service Award on Wednesday, February 25, 2009, at 6 p.m. at the Willard Hotel, Washington, DC. Senator Harkin will be honored for his steadfast commitment to the improvement of the Nation’s ports and commercial inland waterways system over his many years in Congress. Harkin worked to broaden the support for locks and dam improvements crafting a measure with Senator Kit Bond (R-MO) that made improvements to environmental programs on the Upper Mississippi River. That resulted in a broadening of the coalition in support of moving forward with both improved locks and environmental mitigation. The measure was passed as a part of the 2007 Water Resources Development Act (WRDA).

Congressman Jim Oberstar (D-MN) will receive the Seventh Annual Waterways Council, Inc. Leadership Service Award on February 27, 2008, at 6 p.m. at the Willard Hotel, Washington, DC. Representative Oberstar will be honored for his steadfast commitment to the improvement of the Nation’s ports and commercial inland waterways system over his many years in Congress. Past recipients of the award include Senator Robert C. Byrd (2007); Representative David Hobson (2006); Representative Jerry Costello and Representative John Duncan, Jr. (2005); Senator Kit Bond (2004); Senator John Breaux (2003), and Representative Sonny Callahan (2002). Congressman Oberstar is Chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee…

Senator Christopher “Kit” Bond (R-MO) will receive the Third Annual Waterways Council, Inc. Leadership Service Award on Wednesday, March 31, 2004, at 6 p.m. at the Willard Hotel, Washington, DC. Senator Bond is being honored for his unwavering commitment to the improvement of the ports and commercial waterways system. After serving as the state of Missouri’s Governor for two terms, Senator “Kit” Bond is now in his third term in the Senate. Senator Bond serves as Chairman of the Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee of the Environment & Public Works Committee, which is responsible for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers program to maintain and modernize the locks and dams on America’s inland navigation system.

As the inland waterways industry looks back on 2006 and forward to 2007, Waterways Council, Inc. • President Bush’s FY 2007 proposed budget requested a record level of federal funding for 11 Inland Waterways Trust Fund (IWTF)-financed projects. The budget request proposed FY ’07 spending of $394 million for Inland Waterways Trust Fund financed projects, of which $197 million would come from the dedicated Inland Waterways Trust Fund. The remainder would come from general treasury funds, as required under current law. The President’s FY ‘07 budget request is the highest funding recommendation for IWTF funded projects since cost-sharing legislation was enacted into law in 1986.

Senator Robert C. Byrd (D-WV) will receive the Sixth Annual Waterways Council, Inc. Leadership Service Award on February 28 at the Willard Hotel, Washington, DC. Senator Byrd will be honored for his steadfast commitment to the improvement of the Nation’s ports and commercial inland waterways system over his many years in Congress. Past recipients of the award include Representative David Hobson (2006); Representative Jerry Costello and Representative John Duncan, Jr. (2005); Senator Kit Bond (2004); Senator John Breaux (2003), and Representative Sonny Callahan (2002). Senator Byrd is Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, appointed to the Committee by then-Majority Leader Lyndon B. Johnson in 1959, the year Senator Byrd began his Senate service.