Posted:
February 8, 2011
Congresswoman Candice Miller, a Republican representing Michigan's 10th District, has earned the Great Lakes Legislator of the Year Award for 2011 from the Great Lakes Maritime Task Force, the largest labor/management coalition representing the Great Lakes shipping and maritime transportation sectors.
Rep. Miller has been a strong advocate for the region's maritime transportation system, twice co-sponsoring legislation to require that funds deposited in the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund via the Harbor Maintenance Tax be spent on harbor maintenance. The fund currently holds a surplus in excess of $5.5 billion, while the nation's waterways continue to build up sediment, hindering efficient movement of goods.
She has pushed for greater icebreaking capabilities on the Great Lakes to keep shipping lanes open during the coldest months. Rep. Miller also backs construction of a second Poe-sized lock at Sault Ste. Marie, Mich. Redundancy is critical to maintaining commerce in the region. If the single lock at the site were to fail, it would idle nearly 70 percent of U.S.-flag carrying capacity.
The task force also recognized Rep. Miller's support for "a U.S. maritime policy that creates and sustains jobs and promotes national security." She sits on two key maritime committees - Homeland Security and Transportation and Infrastructure - and is the chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security.
Rep. Miller will be presented with the award Feb. 9 in Washington, D.C.
Congresswoman Candice Miller named Great Lakes Legislator of the Year
Congresswoman Candice Miller, a Republican representing Michigan's 10th District, has earned the Great Lakes Legislator of the Year Award for 2011 from the Great Lakes Maritime Task Force, the largest labor/management coalition representing the Great Lakes shipping and maritime transportation sectors.
Rep. Miller has been a strong advocate for the region's maritime transportation system, twice co-sponsoring legislation to require that funds deposited in the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund via the Harbor Maintenance Tax be spent on harbor maintenance. The fund currently holds a surplus in excess of $5.5 billion, while the nation's waterways continue to build up sediment, hindering efficient movement of goods.
She has pushed for greater icebreaking capabilities on the Great Lakes to keep shipping lanes open during the coldest months. Rep. Miller also backs construction of a second Poe-sized lock at Sault Ste. Marie, Mich. Redundancy is critical to maintaining commerce in the region. If the single lock at the site were to fail, it would idle nearly 70 percent of U.S.-flag carrying capacity.
The task force also recognized Rep. Miller's support for "a U.S. maritime policy that creates and sustains jobs and promotes national security." She sits on two key maritime committees - Homeland Security and Transportation and Infrastructure - and is the chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security.
Rep. Miller will be presented with the award Feb. 9 in Washington, D.C.