WASHINGTON, May 20, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Today Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez joined President Bush at the White House to present the Port of Houston Authority of Houston, TX with the Presidential 'E Star' Award for excellence in exporting.
"The Port of Houston Authority is helping to keep America competitive in the global marketplace. I commend them for contributing to last year's record in goods and services. Thanks to the Port of Houston Authority and the thousands of others that compete in the global market, U.S. exports last year rose 12.6 percent over the previous year to more than $1.6 trillion making an important contribution to U.S. economic growth," said Gutierrez.
The Presidential 'E Star' Awards are awarded for continued superior performance in increasing or promoting exports. Only previous recipients of the 'E' Award are eligible. The period of consideration covers the most recent three years of export operation; it does not overlap any portion of the period covered by the 'E' Award; and the level of performance must exceed that for which the 'E' Award was given.
"America's success in the international commercial arena is directly tied to its ability to market and distribute its goods globally, says James T. Edmonds, Chairman of the Port of Houston Authority." This prestigious award that we are honored to accept speaks not only to the strength and versatility of the port authority, but to the vibrant and dynamic city, region and state that it serves."
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. For more information please visit www.portofhouston.com.
Background:
With offices across the United States and in more than 75 countries, the U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce's International Trade Administration uses its global network and international resources to connect U.S. companies with international buyers worldwide. For more information on the U.S. Commercial Service, please visit www.export.gov.