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“HONORING H. THOMAS KORNEGAY FOR HIS SERVICE TO THE PORT OF HOUSTON AUTHORITY” mentioning the U.S. Dept. of Transportation was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E201-E202 on Feb. 4, 2009.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
HONORING H. THOMAS KORNEGAY FOR HIS SERVICE TO THE PORT OF HOUSTON
AUTHORITY
______
HON. GENE GREEN
of texas
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas. Madam Speaker, H. Thomas Kornegay's influence will be forever respected and admired as he retires as executive director from the Port of Houston Authority (PHA) after 37-
years of service.
The Port of Houston is made up of the PHA and the numerous private industrial facilities that line the Houston Ship Channel. The Port ranks first in the U.S. in foreign waterborne tonnage and second in overall total tonnage. Along with the Houston Ship Channel, the PHA aids with navigational safety which has been influential in making Houston a center for international trade, moving over 200 million tons of cargo in 2006.
Kornegay played an essential role in developing both the Barbours Cut Terminal as well as the Bayport Terminal, each accredited in setting the path for continued economic development within the Houston-
Metropolitan region. Along with the development of the two container terminals, Kornegay participated heavily in completing the deepening and widening of the Houston Ship Channel, a $700 million project which benefited Houston and Texas' overall economy and environment. In the aftermath of Hurricane Ike, Kornegay also managed the PHA's operational recovery with minimal repercussions to PHA's assets. As a result of Kornegay's guidance, the PHA posted a ninth consecutive year of growth, a record year in the handling of cargo and containers, and all-time records in importing and exporting steel.
Kornegay's leadership roles have been astounding, including serving as chairman of the board of the American Association of Port Authorities and chairman of the U.S. Delegation of AAPA, an organization that represents more than 140 public port authorities in North America, Latin America, Canada, and the Caribbean. Kornegay was also president of the International Association of Ports and Harbors from 2005-2007, which has affiliated ports that handle more than 60 percent of the world's seaborne trade in metric tons.
Kornegay has been named ``Maritime Person of the Year'' by the Greater Houston Port Bureau, as well as ``Engineer of the Year'' by local Houston engineers. Kornegay has also received the Russell H. Perry Award by the Texas Department of Transportation.
H. Thomas Kornegay was first selected as PHA's executive director in April 1992 after working with the Port Authority staff since April 1972. Kornegay will retire after 17 years from his position as PHA's executive director, but his contributions will forever impact the success of the Port of Houston.
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