American Maritime Officers National President Paul Doell congratulates Congressman Cedric Richmond (D-LA) on his receipt of the Salute to Congress Award.

The International Propeller Club of the United States on May 1 presented Congressman Cedric Richmond (D-LA) with the Salute to Congress Award for his strong support of the U.S. Merchant Marine and maritime industry throughout his service in Congress, which includes starting the Congressional Maritime Caucus.

During his acceptance speech, Rep. Richmond once again pledged his support for the maritime industry and the continued defense of the Jones Act.

"I want to be crystal clear about one thing: Any effort to chip away at America's first maritime policy would be a step in the wrong direction," he said to the gathering of maritime labor and industry leaders, elected officials and stakeholders. "Ensuring that American companies and American crews control the waterborne transportation of domestic cargo between American ports is imperative to the economic vitality of our nation."

Rep. Richmond's district in Louisiana is one of the leading congressional districts in terms of maritime jobs across the nation, and he said that allows him to see firsthand the positive impact the Jones Act has, both on the economy and on national security. He also expressed his support for cargo preference and strengthening those requirements to provide more cargo for U.S.-flagged vessels.

While continuing to fight for the Jones Act, Rep. Richmond said one of his primary goals is to dredge parts of the Mississippi River another five feet in order to accommodate the larger vessels that are now being built in an effort to move more cargo.

Such infrastructure improvements would help with the objectives of the marine highway system and would once again push maritime into the forefront of commerce in the country and around the world, he said.

"I want to make sure dredging and maritime infrastructure are included in any infrastructure deal," Rep. Richmond said. "If we are going to do one, it has to be robust, it has to be real and the maritime industry has to be included."

As a member of the House Committee on Homeland Security, Rep. Richmond also understands the impact the U.S. Merchant Marine has on national security and crisis response, including disaster relief efforts and other national emergencies.

Rep. Richmond is also co-sponsoring a bill that would award U.S. merchant mariners who served in World War II with the Congressional Gold Medal for their heroic work in securing the Allied victory.

"We should all be asking: What can we do to support our veteran mariners?" he said. "These mariners sustained our Armed Forces during World War II ... We thank them and salute them for their service, but now it's time for them to receive Congress's greatest honor."