[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 86 (Friday, June 26, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1250-E1251]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING GEORGE A. PETERKIN, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KEN BENTSEN

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 25, 1998

  Mr. BENTSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize George A. Peterkin, 
Jr., Chairman of the Board of Kirby Corporation, for his many 
outstanding contributions to the nation's marine industry and the 
public that it serves. On July 20, 1998, Kirby Corporation will honor 
Mr. Peterkin by dedicating its new building, the George A. Peterkin, 
Jr. Operations and Training Center, which is located near the 
confluence of San Jacinto River and the Houston Ship Channel in the 
25th District.
  During his long and distinguished career, Mr. Peterkin has inspired 
the men and women of Kirby Corporation and its predecessor, Dixie 
Carriers, Inc., to achieve the highest levels of safety and 
environmental excellence. As a result, Kirby Corporation is a 
recognized industry leader in safety performance. Each year, Kirby 
Corporation's rates for lost time injuries, recordable injuries and 
spills are among the lowest realized by towboat operators in the United 
States. In addition, each year Kirby Corporation has more vessels 
honored than any other operator through the Devlin Award program, a 
national program that recognizes the safe performance of vessel crews. 
In 1995, the United States Coast Guard recognized the company's 
accomplishments when it selected Kriby Corporation to receive the 
William M. Benkert Award for environmental excellence in the Large 
Company-Vessel Operator Category.
  Mr. Peterkin's legacy regarding safety excellence has continued to 
grow as Kirby Corporation is called upon to share its expertise by 
industry organizations and government entities. For example, Kirby 
Corporation has played a leadership role on the National Steering 
Committee of the American Waterway Operators/USCG Safety Partnership 
since its inception in 1995. The charter of the Partnership is to 
strengthen the working relationship between the Coast Guard and the 
barge and towing industry and to provide a mechanism for cooperative 
AWO/USCG action to advance the two organizations' mutual goals of 
marine safety and environmental protection.
  Further, Kirby corporation has played a key role in the development 
and implementation of

[[Page E1251]]

AWO's Responsible Carrier Program, which is designed to achieve 
improved safety performance by members of AWO and their towing service 
vendors. Thus, Kirby Corporation is playing a central role in the 
ongoing quest for safer and cleaner waterways for the good of the 
nation's public, marine industry personnel, and the environment.
  Mr. Peterkin's contributions to the marine transportation industry 
also include innovations in marine vessel design and operations. For 
example, Mr. Peterkin spearheaded the introduction of the ``air 
controller'' design for towboat wheelhouses. This design provides 
pilots with an unobstructed, panoramic view from the wheelhouse and has 
helped to avoid countless accidents since it became an industry 
standard more than three decades ago. Mr. Peterkin also led the 
industry in advancing automated unmanned towboat engine rooms.
  These innovations have helped to make barge transportation the 
nation's safest and lowest cost method for transporting bulk goods. The 
ultimate beneficiaries from these innovations are marine industry 
personnel who enjoy safer work environments and the public that pays 
lower transportation costs.
  Mr. Peterkin has also been active in community service. For over 30 
years, he has provided leadership on the Board of Trustees of Texas 
Children's Hospital, also located in the 25th District, serving as a 
board member from 1967-present, President 1978-1979, and Chairman of 
the Board, 1987-1991. He has been instrumental in guiding the 
development of this world renowned hospital.
  Mr.Speaker, whatever he does, George Peterkin's intelligence, 
enthusiasm, and integrity serves him and all those he encounters well. 
He brings a tireless energy, an unflagging drive, and a passionate 
caring to each of his endeavors, wearing many hats along the way. His 
contributions to the nation's marine industry and the community are 
truly commendable.

                          ____________________