Bipartisan Texas Delegation Requests Funds for Port of Houston
March 12, 2009
Press Release
Washington, DC - Representative Gene Green, joined by a bipartisan group of Members of the Texas Delegation, sent a letter to Assistant Secretary for Civil Works of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Paul Woodley, asking for $103.47 million for projects in the Houston Ship Channel.
Recently the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers received $4.6 billion dollars as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) for navigation projects. The letter asks that $103.47 million be sent to the Port of Houston for investments in its infrastructure.
“Since there were no earmarks in ARRA, we encourage the Corps of Engineers to include the Houston Ship Channel’s projects when awarding ARRA funding,” said Green. “The Port of Houston is responsible for 785,000 jobs and over $117.6 billion in economic impact, and federal investment will continue to support these jobs and commerce.”
Representatives Pete Olson, John Culberson, Al Green, Ted Poe, Sheila Jackson-Lee, Kevin Brady, Michael McCaul, Ron Paul, John Carter, Chet Edwards, and Ciro Rodriguez joined Congressman Green in signing the letter.
The Port of Houston ranks first in foreign tonnage and U.S. imports. The U.S. Coast Guard estimates that a one month closure of a port like Houston would cost the national economy $60 billion dollars.
“The federal government is responsible for maintaining the Port of Houston, and there are projects ready to go that qualify for funding. The Houston Ship Channel is a vital component of our regional and national economy and funding these projects will be a worthwhile investment,” said Green
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