U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley to Receive 9th Annual WCI Leadership Service Award

Grassley to be honored for his strong support for the improvement of the Nation’s ports and commercial inland waterways system, over his five terms in Congress.

Washington, DC – Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) will receive the Ninth Annual Waterways Council, Inc. Leadership Service Award on Wednesday, February 24, 2010, at 6 p.m. at the W Hotel, Washington, DC.

As one of the principal leaders in the effort to get the Navigation and Ecosystem Sustainability Program (NESP) authorized in the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2007, Senator Grassley will be honored for his strong support for the improvement of the Nation’s ports and commercial inland waterways system, like the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers which make up Iowa’s east and West Borders, over his five terms in Congress.

“Our ports and inland waterways are vitally important to the economic well-being of our country. States like Iowa may be landlocked, but the rivers that lead out of my state provide countless opportunities to move our products to the world. It’s an honor to be recognized by the Waterways Council, and I look forward to continuing our efforts to ensure an efficient and effective waterway system,” Senator Grassley said.

Recently casting his 10,000th vote in the Senate, Grassley -- Iowa's senior senator -- joined only 28 other senators in history to achieve that milestone.

He is a member of the Senate Finance Committee, serving as its Ranking Member; the Committee on the Judiciary, the Committee on the Budget, and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, as the only working family farmer serving on Committee. He is also a member of the Joint Committee on Taxation.

“Waterways Council Inc.’s Leadership Service Award recognizes champions of our nation’s waterways and port system. We are so honored to recognize publicly the outstanding leadership of Senator Grassley this year and to thank him for his commitment and service to America’s critical waterways infrastructure," said Cornel Martin, President/CEO of Waterways Council, Inc.

Past recipients of the award include Senator Tom Harkin (2009); Representative James Oberstar (2008); Senator Robert C. Byrd (2007); Representative David Hobson (2006); Representative Jerry Costello and Representative John Duncan, Jr. (2005); Senator Kit Bond (2004); Senator John Breaux (2003), and Representative Sonny Callahan (2002).

Waterways Council, Inc. is the national public policy organization advocating a modern and well-maintained national system of ports and inland waterways. The group is supported by waterways carriers, shippers, port authorities, shipping associations and waterways advocacy groups from all regions of the country. Visit www.waterwayscouncil.org.