SCA honors Sen. Cochran, Rep. Hunter for maritime leadership

(WASHINGTON) — The Shipbuilders Council of America (SCA), the national trade association representing the U.S. shipyard industry, hosted its annual spring meeting in Washington last week and honored Sen. Thad Cochran, R-Miss., and Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-Calif., as recipients of the Maritime Leadership Award. The association also named Richard McCreary of BAE Systems as the new chairman of the association.

As recipients of the Maritime Leadership Award, Cochran and Hunter are recognized as exemplary leaders from Congress who have demonstrated outstanding dedication and support of the U.S. shipbuilding and repair industry.

“Sen. Cochran, through his leadership on the Senate Appropriations Committee, understands the unique challenges facing the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard and has provided a steady voice on the importance for consistent funding in both shipbuilding and repair accounts. Rep. Hunter is deeply knowledgeable about the economic impact of the U.S. shipyard industry and has been a vocal advocate for this industry through his role as chairman of the Coast Guard and Maritime Subcommittee on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. The respective support demonstrated by Sen. Cochran and Rep. Hunter have been invaluable to our industry and we are honored to work with them as we continue to promote policies and priorities that strengthen U.S. national and economic security,” said SCA President Matthew Paxton.

In addition to the leadership awards, SCA also named industry veteran McCreary as its new chairman and honored 14 member shipyards with safety awards.

“It is critically important that all members of Congress and those in the administration understand the vital role of the U.S shipbuilding and repair industry to U.S. national, economic and homeland security. Overall the shipbuilding and repair industry, which provides more than 400,000 jobs nationwide, sustains the critical industrial base that enables the U.S. build and repair its own fleet of commercial and military vessels. I am honored to have been selected to serve as chairman of SCA for the next two years,” said McCreary. 

By Professional Mariner Staff