ARLINGTON, VA – The American Waterways Operators, a 350-member trade association representing the nation’s tugboat, towboat and barge industry, congratulates Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS) upon his receipt of the American Maritime Partnership’s (AMP) 2012 Champion of Maritime award in honor of his years of leadership and diligence in supporting the nation’s maritime industry and its American workforce. 

AWO is a member of AMP, a national coalition representing all elements of the United States domestic maritime industry, including shipyards, ship operators, seafarers, and pro-defense organizations. AMP’s “Champion of Maritime” award is presented to an individual who has displayed extraordinary dedication to and consistent support for the American maritime industry. 

“This distinction is indeed a high honor,” said Tom Allegretti, AWO’s President & CEO. “Time and again, Sen. Wicker has exercised leadership that demonstrates his recognition of the importance of the maritime industry both to his home state of Mississippi and to the entire country.” 

“We are especially grateful for his willingness to educate his colleagues about the vital importance of the nation’s waterways to our economic and national security interests,” Allegretti continued. “We are much stronger as a nation today because of his efforts. AWO, along with tens of thousands of domestic maritime workers from coast to coast, praise Sen. Wicker for the work he has done to earn this outstanding achievement.” 

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