[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 142 (Saturday, October 10, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Pages S12349-S12350]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                FEDERAL MARITIME COMMISSION NOMINATIONS

 Mr. HOLLINGS. Mr. President, I would like to take a moment to 
congratulate two nominees, Mr. Hal Creel and Mr. John Moran, upon their 
confirmation to be Federal Maritime Commissioners.
  Hal Creel, a native of South Carolina and my former Senior Counsel on 
the Maritime Subcommittee, has been a Federal Maritime Commissioner for 
four years. He has served the last two and a half years as the agency's 
Chairman. As Chairman, he has demonstrated a wide-ranging knowledge of 
the maritime industry and an outstanding ability to oversee industry 
activities. Our Nation is extremely fortunate to have such a dedicated 
individual at the helm of this important government body.
  Mr. Creel and the Federal Maritime Commission are responsible for 
overseeing all international liner shipping in the U.S.--over $500 
billion in trade. His efforts in the controversy surrounding Japan's 
restrictive port practices come immediately to mind.
  The Government of Japan for many years has orchestrated a system that 
impedes open trade, unjustly favors Japanese companies, and results in 
tremendous inefficiencies for anyone serving Japan's ports. The FMC, 
under Mr. Creel's guidance, met these problems head-on and he was 
instrumental in bringing the two governments to the bargaining table. 
The bilateral agreement that resulted paves the way for far-reaching 
changes that can remove these unfair barriers to trade. The progress 
made to date has occurred in large measure due to the Commission's 
firm, results-oriented approach. I urge him to continue to keep the 
Japanese honest, and to perform their agreed upon obligations.
  Hal Creel also has led the Commission in its efforts to resolve 
unfavorable trading conditions with the Peoples Republic of China and 
Brazil. These trades pose differing problems, but circumstances that 
nonetheless restrict U.S. companies or render their business dealings 
unnecessarily difficult or simply inefficient.
  Hal Creel is widely respected by all sectors of the industry as an 
involved, knowledgeable Chairman who can be trusted to make impartial 
decisions based on all relevant factors. This has been evidenced by the 
objective, informed decisions he renders in formal proceedings, his 
voting record on important agency matters, and the evenhanded 
enforcement program administered by the Commission. As Chairman of the 
FMC, Hal Creel has worked hard to curb harmful practices and create 
equitable trading conditions for the entire industry. He takes a 
personal stake in these matters and works hard to obtain compliance 
with the laws passed by this Congress. But those who willfully violate 
the law or intentionally disregard the Nation's ocean shipping policies 
as contained in the Shipping Act are dealt with appropriately.
  These are turbulent times in the liner shipping industry, times that 
call for effective and respected leadership from our Nation's 
regulatory body. Mr. Creel provides that leadership now, and I am 
certain will continue to do so as the industry enters the new 
environment that will result from the Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 1998 
passed by this body last week.
  I am proud of the accomplishments and fine work Hal has done at the 
FMC. I am also proud that he is a native South Carolinian. He certainly 
has continued the fine tradition and excellence he has established as a 
staffer and senior counsel for the Senate Commerce Committee. His 
reappointment is well deserved.
  I also wish to convey my support for John Moran to become a 
Commissioner at the FMC. John also is a former Commerce Committee 
counsel who served all members of that Committee with distinction. John 
and Hal worked together at the Committee on a bipartisan basis, 
slugging through tough issues and serving all of the Members well.
  For my Senate colleagues who do not know Mr. Moran, his only fault is 
that he is not from South Carolina. He has

[[Page S12350]]

demonstrated his abilities and intellect time and time again. He is 
well suited to be a Federal Maritime Commissioner. Currently, John 
works representing the American Waterways Operators, as their Vice 
President for legislative affairs. John also has an outstanding 
reputation within the maritime and transportation industry sectors.
  I congratulate these two deserving individuals, who have been 
appointed to the agency which plays such a critical role in 
international trade.

                          ____________________