U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie (D-Hawaii), a passionate and outspoken friend of the U.S. Merchant Marine, recently received the 2006 “Salute to Congress” award, presented by the Propeller Club of the United States.
Abercrombie garnered the 22nd annual award during a dinner ceremony May 2 in Bethesda, Md.
“This is the maritime industry’s premier award, and I’m honored to receive it,” said Abercrombie. “When everything is said and done, the U.S. maritime industry is a critical component of U.S. national security. I’m very grateful for this recognition of my efforts on behalf of the working men and women who make up the backbone of our nation’s merchant marine in peace and war.”
The SIU was well-represented at the ceremony, as President Michael Sacco, Executive Vice President Augie Tellez, Secretary-Treasurer David Heindel, Vice President Contracts George Tricker and Assistant Vice President Ambrose Cucinotta attended on behalf of the union. Overall, an estimated 400 people were in the audience, including a number of U.S. senators and congressmen.
The Propeller Club of the United States is a grassroots, non-profit organization dedicated to the enhancement and wellbeing of all interests of the maritime community, nationally and internationally. The organization aggressively promotes the maritime industry through many of its programs and partnering with similar organizations.
Abercrombie first served in the U.S. House of Representatives in 1986 and has backed the U.S. maritime industry throughout his career. He was a member of the now-defunct Merchant Marine and Fisheries Committee and currently serves on both the Committee on Armed Services and the Committee on Resources as well as several subcommittees.
In accepting the award, Abercrombie noted that he is a strong supporter of the Jones Act. He also pointed out that he helped secure House passage of legislation in 2003 that facilitated the successful efforts of Norwegian Cruise Lines to launch a U.S.-flag component (SIU-contracted NCL America).
Abercrombie also has backed programs which provide loan guarantees and other forms of support for the U.S. shipping and shipbuilding industries.
In a news release announcing the 2006 award, the Propeller Club noted that Abercrombie “is being honored for his consistent and strong support of the United States maritime industry.”
Frank Baptista Sr., international president of the Propeller Club of the United States, said, “Being from Hawaii, Congressman Abercrombie knows the importance of trade and supports those that work in the maritime industry both ashore and at sea.”
Past recipients of the Salute to Congress award include Senator Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii), Senator Trent Lott (R-Miss.) and Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-Calif.) and Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska).
During the most recent meetings of the AFL-CIO Maritime Trades Department executive board earlier this year in San Diego, Abercrombie pointed to the Jones Act as a potential foundation for an expanded national maritime policy. He said he is carrying the message in Congress that “maritime has to be the number one security interest of this nation. Not just port security, but shipbuilding and a merchant marine owned and operated under the Jones Act must become a fundamental premise of American policy.”
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