Second Day - Alaska

A spin-off of the Chamber's delegation for Washington-to-Washington, D.C. 2010, visited with Alaska's lone representation in the  House, Congressman Don Young.

Chief among issues discussed was the EPA's implementation of air emissions regs for ships at sea but within the 200-mile territorial limit of the U.S.  Both Totem Ocean Trailer Express and Horizon Lines are directly impacted by this regulation.  Alaska remains one of our chief trading partners through the services of these carriers through the Port of Tacoma.

Attending the meeting with Cong. Young are:  (l to r):  Gary Brackett, Chamber; John Parrott, TOTE; Stephanie Bowman, Port of Tacoma; Cong. Young; Spiro Manthou, Tacoma City Council; Gary Coy, Sperry Ocean.

Lt. Governor Brad Owen is G. F. Train International Business Award Recipient

The recipient of the Chamber’s 2010 George Francis (G.F.) Train International Business Commemorative Award is Lt. Governor Brad Owen for his significant contribution to the growth of international trade in Tacoma.

Besides the G.F. Train International Business Award, the Port of Tacoma’s Community Vitality Partner Award and the World Trade Center Tacoma (WTCT)’s Globe Award and Marco Polo Award will be presented at the Globe Awards Dinner & Auction on June 2.

The Port of Tacoma will honor Totem Ocean Trailer Express, Inc. as the 2010 Community Vitality Partner Award recipient and the WTCT recently announced that the 2010 Globe Award recipient is Williamson & Associates (W&A) and their 2010 Marco Polo Award recipient is Silverbow Honey Company.

For details on the awards and the 2010 Globe Awards Dinner & Auction, click here.

Second Day - Economic Development

Meetings off the hill, included a briefing by the U.S. Chamber and meeting with officials from the U.S. Economic Development Administration.

At the EDA meeting, members of the Chamber delegation learned about accessing special federal dollars to create a "spark" of economic development with communities. The EDA's funds are used to provide seed money for important community projects.

Second Day - Meeting with the Chairman

The Chamber delegation met with Rep. Dicks, who has often been called the state's "third senator" due to his influence on Capitol Hill and willingness to engage in a wide variety issues throughout the state.

With the recent passing of Rep. Murtha and retirement announcement of Rep. Obey, Rep. Dicks has secured the chairmanship of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense and, if the democrats retain control of the House, will likely become of the chairman of the House Appropriations Committee.

Essentially, all congressional monies and funding must flow through this committee, giving Rep. Dicks a greater ability to work on issues important to this state as well as this nation.

Second Day - Eastern WA Ties

Members of the delegation met with eastern Washington Representatives Hastings and McMorris Rodgers where the group discussed trade agreements, transportation and debt reduction.

Second Day - Senator Murray and Cantwell

The Chamber delegation met with the remaining members of the Washington state congressional delegation.

The last two meetings of the trip were with Senator Murray, who left a committee meeting to join our group, and Senator Cantwell, who had just left the floor of the Senate after delivering a speech on the Wall Street Reform bill.

Chamber Meetings Successful

The Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber is half-way through its 25th annual trip to Washington, D.C.

In just the last 24 hours, the 25 delegates participating in this trip have met with half of the congressional delegation, defense installation officials at the Pentagon and members from the Office of Economic Adjustment.

In those meetings, the Chamber team has discussed issues ranging from schools on military bases to debt reduction strategies, including:

• Ensuring adequate medicare reimbursement for our state from the federal government
• Requesting corrective legislation that would limit the unfair impacts of health care on temp job companies
• Pushing for action on the Solo Point wastewater issue on Joint Base Lewis McChord
• Limiting the impacts of encroachment around Joint Base Lewis McChord
• Funding green energy concerpts like landfill gas conversion to CNG
• Support Our Soldiers model program concept

The meetings continue tomorrow.