The American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) will be honoring Senator Richard Shelby and Congressman Peter DeFazio with Port Person of the Year Awards at the association’s Spring Conference on March 17, 2021. (Event held virtually.) The seaports industry presents this award in recognition of policymakers whose outstanding work has made a significant contribution to public ports and maritime commerce.
“AAPA proudly celebrates Senator Shelby and Congressman DeFazio for championing legislation that has enhanced the capabilities of public ports and advanced global trade,” said AAPA President and CEO Christopher J. Connor. “We are honored to present this award to leaders who have demonstrated a steadfast commitment to an industry that supports more than 642,000 American jobs and connects the nation’s small businesses, farmers and manufacturers to the global marketplace.”
Senator Richard Shelby is the senior United States Senator from the State of Alabama. He was first elected to the U.S. Senate in 1986 and is currently in his sixth term. Senator Shelby is the former chairman and current vice chair of the Senate Committee on Appropriations. He formerly served as chairman of the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration and the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee, of which he is the longest serving member in history. He remains a senior member on each of the committees. He also serves on the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works.
Congressman Peter DeFazio
Peter Anthony DeFazio is the U.S. Representative for Oregon's 4th congressional district, serving since 1987. In 2019, DeFazio was elected to the powerful position of Chair of the House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure, which has jurisdiction over the nation's highways, public transit, rail systems, airports, pipelines, and seaports, the U.S. Coast Guard, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Army Corps of Engineers, and other agencies. Coast Guard, highways and transit, ports and water resources, railroads, aviation, and economic development.
