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