The Great Lakes Maritime Task Force (GLMTF) named U.S. Senator Rob Portman (R-OH) as its 2019 Great Lakes Legislator of the Year. The annual award, presented since 1998, goes to an elected official who has helped advance waterborne commerce along the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence Seaway.
“Senator Portman understands the importance of marine transportation to our national and regional economies,” stated John Baker, task force president as well as the head of the Cleveland Port Maritime Council. “As co-chair of the Great Lakes Congressional Task Force, Senator Portman often works in a bipartisan way on complex issues confronting the region.”
Toledo Port Maritime Council President John Clemons, who is the GLMTF second vice president, added, “As a member of the Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee, Senator Portman understands that the economic security, homeland security and national security interests of the United States are best served by vessels crewed, built and owned by Americans.”
Portman received the award on August 9 in Cleveland.