HOUSTON, May 14, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- The Port of Houston Authority has received the 2007 President's "E Star" Award for export service, in recognition of its continuing support of export growth in the U.S. business community for at least five years. PHA was among only four U.S. organizations to receive the prestigious award this year.
The E Award dates back to World War II, when more than 4,000 "E Pennants" were presented to war plants in recognition of production excellence. The famous flag with the big "E" emblazoned on it became a badge of patriotism in action.
Created by Executive Order of the President on December 5, 1961, the E Award revived the World War II "E" symbol of excellence to honor and provide recognition to America's exporters. The award affords suitable recognition to persons, firms or organizations which contribute significantly in the effort to increase United States exports. The President's "E Star" Award, which was authorized by the Secretary of Commerce on August 4, 1969, affords continuing recognition of noteworthy export promotion efforts.
"The Port of Houston Authority has demonstrated a sustained commitment to export expansion," U.S. Secretary of Commerce Carlos Gutierrez wrote in a congratulatory letter. "The port's trade with major export partners reflects a year-over-year increase in terms of both tonnage and dollar value. The PHA's active engagement in trade missions, briefings to foreign delegations and market research and forecasting to develop new strategies to increase growth are particularly impressive. The PHA's achievements have contributed to national expansion efforts that support the U.S. economy and create American jobs."
"The President's E Star Award is a significant honor and we are proud to receive it," said PHA Chairman James T. Edmonds. "The port has experienced sustained growth since 2002, fueled by a strategically beneficial central location, a robust regional economy producing vital raw materials and the expansion of major trading partners' need for U.S. goods."
The Port of Houston experienced an overall year-over-year export trade growth between 4 percent and 9 percent from 2002 to 2006. Brazil was among the leading export trading partners, with 2.024 million short tons in 2006. In terms of U.S. dollars, exports to Belgium totaled $2.36 billion. Among leading Houston exports, mineral fuel oil in 2006 was 21.7 million short tons. In terms of U.S. dollars, exports of machinery totaled $9.45 billion. Most impressive is the growth of export containerized cargoes, with 734,799 TEUs in 2006.
The E Star Award marks the second time the PHA has been recognized for its export trade programs. The first, in 1981, was the "E Award." A company receives the E Star after it has previously received the E Award, and no recipient can be recognized more than twice.
Winners of the "E" and "E Star" Award are authorized to fly the blue and white banner and to display the accompanying certificate of commendation, which is signed by the Secretary of Commerce in the name and by the authority of the President.
Chairman Edmonds will accept the award at a White House ceremony on May 20 during World Trade Week.
The Port of Houston Authority owns and operates the public facilities located along the Port of Houston, the 25-mile-long complex of diversified public and private facilities designed for handling general cargo, containers, grain and other dry bulk materials, project and heavy lift cargo, and other types of cargo. Each year, more than 7,000 vessels call at the port, which ranks first in the U.S. in foreign waterborne tonnage and second in overall total tonnage. The port authority plays a vital role in ensuring navigational safety along the Houston Ship Channel, which has been instrumental in Houston's development as a center of international trade. The Barbours Cut Container Terminal and Central Maintenance Facility are the first of any U.S. port facilities to develop and implement an innovative Environmental Management System that meets the rigorous standards of ISO 14001. PHA is the first port authority in the world to receive ISO 28000:2007 certification for Port Police and the perimeter security operations at both the Barbours Cut and Bayport Terminals. Additionally, the port is an approved delivery point for Coffee "C" futures contracts traded on the New York Board of Trade's Coffee, Sugar & Cocoa Exchange.
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For more information, please visit www.portofhouston.com
To access the port's web site photo gallery, please visit http://www.portofhouston.com/publicrelations/publicrelations.html and click the link for PHA Photo Gallery.