MEDIA ADVISORY , Aug. 18, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) --
WHAT: Grand opening -- symbolically unlocking the key to port security and facility tour WHEN: Monday, August 23, 2004. Media Tour at 2:30 p.m. Ceremonial Program at 3:00 p.m. WHERE: PHA Port Coordination Center (PCC) 111 East Loop North in Houston, Texas From Loop 610 East: Take exit 29 near the Houston Ship Channel Bridge, follow signs. From Clinton Drive: Enter Gate 8, turn left, follow signs. WHO: PHA Chairman Jim Edmonds, Vice Chairman Kase Lawal and Commissioners Steve Phelps, Jim Fonteno, Jimmy Burke and Cheryl Thompson-Draper PHA Executive Director H. Thomas Kornegay U.S. Coast Guard Captain Richard M. Kaser, Captain of the Port State of Texas Homeland Security Director Steven McGraw Harris County Precinct 2 Commissioner Sylvia Garcia City of Houston Chief Administrative Officer Anthony W. Hall, Jr. WHY: The PHA and its security partners celebrate the grand opening of the new, $4.35 million state-of-the-art facility that utilizes technologically advanced communications systems and data sharing equipment to facilitate immediate, accurate communication exchange between Port Coordination Team members, including the PHA Police Department, U.S. Coast Guard, and various local, state and federal regulatory and law enforcement agencies. AUDIO/ VISUALS: Media tour at 2:30 p.m. Formal remarks by PHA officials and elected officials Displays and demonstrations of various security equipment, technologies, vehicles, etc. SPECIAL NOTE: R.S.V.P. by no later than 5 p.m. on Friday, August 20 at 713 670-2876 CONTACTS: Argentina James, Public Affairs Director Office: 713-670-2568 Cell: 713-306-6822 Felicia Griffin, Communications Manager Office: 713-670-2644 Cell:713-594-5620 DUE TO SECURITY RESTRICTIONS, MEDIA ACCESS WILL BE LIMITED TO THE DESIGNATED PHA LOCATION. ALL MEDIA PERSONNEL MUST PRESENT CURRENT PHOTO IDENTIFICATION UPON ENTRANCE. The Port of Houston Authority 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 6,600 vessels call at the port, which ranks first in the U.S. in foreign waterborne tonnage, second in overall total tonnage, and sixth largest in the world. 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. 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. For more information, please visit www.portofhouston.com