FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, April 9, 1998
Contact: John Swank, 202-366-5807
DOT 68-98
TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY SLATER
MEETS WITH JACKSONVILLE TRANSPORTATION OFFICIALS,
PRESENTS AWARD TO FLORIDA PORTS COUNCIL
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- U.S. Transportation Secretary Rodney E. Slater today presented the Florida Ports Council an award for visionary leadership in developing transportation systems to help Florida achieve continued economic prosperity.
"President Clinton is committed to opening markets and has called for initiatives that expand economic opportunity that moves America forward," Secretary Slater said. "The Florida Ports Council is working hard to create a seaport system for Florida that is dynamic and responsive to trading partners, and its visionary leadership noteworthy."
Secretary Slater is in Jacksonville in conjunction with a five-day, six-state tour of southeastern states during which he is asssessing examples of key transportation priorities and the need to maintain those priorities through the reauthorization of the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA). In addition to Florida, he visited Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Tennessee. His review is particularly focusing on integrated transportation systems that move goods and people more efficiently while growing local economies to help create jobs.
Last month, Secretary Slater announced a new effort to ensure that U.S. waterways, ports and their intermodal connections meet user needs, public expectations and the nation’s needs for efficient, safe and environmentally sound transportation. Marine transportation currently carries 95 percent of U.S. overseas trade, and projections show that U.S.-foreign ocean borne trade is expected to more than double by the year 2020. Commuter ferries, recreational boating, and other recreational uses of waterways also are expected to increase, placing greater demands on the marine transportation system.
Secretary Slater also met with officials from the Council, state and local governments, as well as local transportation officials, to discuss transportation and economic growth issues.
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