Georgia’s Ports: Going All In

Last Thursday, I had the honor of addressing 1,200 attendees at the Savannah Convention Center during the annual Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) State of the Ports Luncheon. A celebration of one of our state’s most important economic engines, the State of the Ports offers stakeholders the chance to hear about GPA’s plans for the future.

I was proud to be joined by a number of my colleagues in the House of Representatives including Chairman Bill Hitchens and Representative Lehman Franklin among a host of others. I also want to thank former State Representative and current Vice Chair of the State Board of Transportation Ann Purcell for joining us at the luncheon. The Georgia Department of Transportation is a critical partner in keeping our ports among the fastest growing in the world.  

This year’s theme, “All In,” describes the numerous, simultaneous capital projects underway to facilitate future growth of our ports, including the Port of Savannah, the Port of Brunswick, and our several inland ports. Executive Director Griff Lynch detailed how the GPA Board is working with stakeholders to ensure the Port of Savannah, in particular, becomes a national gateway port — one that major corporations and shippers choose as the point of entry for their goods into the United States. Already the nation’s fastest growing container port, the Port of Savannah is benefiting from the expansive Mason Mega Rail Project and realignment of Berth 1, both recently completed. Looking to the future, a new container yard and renovation of the Ocean Terminal signal continued progress toward growth.

As vital as our ports are to the economy, they are also an important part of communities in our area. — where many people live whose livelihoods depend on the ports one way or another. GPA is committed to supporting those communities and announced a $6 million donation to Housing Savannah, Inc., for the Port of Savannah Workforce Housing Initiative which will positively impact the neighborhoods near the port.

Courage in the Line of Duty

The brave men and women who serve as firefighters and police officers constantly put their own personal safety on the line to protect and serve others. Last week I attended the annual Valor Awards hosted by Our 200 Club, celebrating those brave men and women who have demonstrated exceptional courage in the line of duty.

I appreciate Our 200 Club’s commitment to caring for families of police officers and firefighters who are killed in the line of duty. This group and their selflessness demonstrates the great generosity and humanity amongst our community.

Special thanks to State Insurance & Fire Safety Commissioner John King for delivering the keynote address at the ceremony. Commissioner King served with distinction as a law enforcement officer throughout his career, ultimately becoming Chief of Police of the City of Doraville before becoming Georgia’s first Hispanic statewide elected official. He is also a veteran of the United States Army.  

Read On:  Celebrating Literacy
As we continue to work to highlight the importance of literacy and reading instruction, I very much enjoyed reading to students at Bulloch Academy recently. We know that reading is fundamental to success in education and in the workforce, and I am proud to support efforts to increase our state’s literacy rate amongst our young people.

Later this week, my beloved wife, Dayle, herself a retired educator, will be addressing Georgia’s Literacy Council at Kennesaw State University.  And next week I look forward to visiting with Principal Greg Manior and reading to children at Guyton Elementary as we continue to celebrate reading in Georgia.