WASHINGTON – U.S. Congresswoman Candice Miller (MI-10) today made the following comments upon receiving the Great Lakes Legislator of the Year Award for 2011 from the Great Lakes Maritime Task Force (GLMTF). The Award was presented by the GLMTF in Washington, DC.

“I have lived on the shores of the Great Lakes my entire life and I intend to live on those shores for the rest of my life,” Miller said. “I understand the importance of Great Lakes shipping and have a huge appreciation of those that sail on the freighters and the men and women who work on these ships. Throughout my entire career in public service, protecting the Great Lakes and ensuring that the shipping industry is able to perform has always been and will continue to be at the forefront of my primary advocacies. ”

Founded in 1992, GLMTF promotes domestic and international shipping on the Great Lakes. With 82 members, it is the largest coalition to ever speak for the Great Lakes shipping community and draws its membership from both labor and management representing U.S.-flag vessel operators, shipboard and longshore unions, port authorities, cargo shippers, terminal operators, shipyards and other Great Lakes interests.

GLMTF’s goals include restoring adequate funding for dredging of Great Lakes deep-draft ports and waterways; construction of a second Poe-sized lock at Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan; supporting the Jones Act and other U.S. maritime cabotage laws and regulations; maximizing the Lakes overseas trade; and opposing exports of and/or increased diversions of Great Lakes water.

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