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TPA Honors Bonnen, Maurer

July 27, 2005- GALVESTON, TX- State Representative Dennis Bonnen received the Port Person of the Year Award from the Texas Ports Association (TPA). The Association annually honors individuals for their work and support for Texas ports, and this year's reception was held at Fisherman's Wharf in Galveston.

The reception was the opening of TPA's 2005 Annual Meeting, which included presentations from Hon. John Paul Woodley, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works, and Dr. Steven Pei, Executive Director of the Southwest Public Safety Technology Center of the University of Houston.

"It is truly an honor to be named Texas Ports Association's Person of the Year," Bonnen said. "TPA has been an exceptional organization to represent and work with on various legislative issues."

Bonnen's work in the House proves he deserves the award, as he has passed bills to protect Texas ports from liability for hazardous waste found in the course of dredging, and unnecessary lawsuits. The Representative has also fought against more taxes for Texas ports including state dockage fees and cruise passenger fees.

"Texas ports are one of the oldest and most important economic engines of this state," Bonnen said. "It has been a privilege to collaborate with them to ensure the economic viability of Texas and I look forward to continuing this effort."

Receiving TPA's Lifetime Achievement Award was Herbie Maurer, now a private consultant in his days as a retiree. Maurer has more than 40 years of service with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Beginning his career as a civil engineer in the Engineering Division in 1964, Maurer ended his tenure with the Corps as Deputy District Engineer and Chief of Programs and Project Management.

The Corps is responsible for more than 1,000 port facilities on 1,000 miles of channels that Texas ports have to offer. In 2003, the Corps' statistics showed that "Texas is the most prolific shipping state in the nation, with 473 million tons," and Texas ports also accounted for nearly one million jobs and more than $30 billion in economic impact.

The mission of the Texas Ports Association is to advance the development of Texas ports, enabling them to compete with ports outside Texas and thereby strengthen the economy of Texas.