[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 95 (Wednesday, June 25, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1349]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 CONGRATULATIONS TO THE ALABAMA STATE DOCKS FOR 75 YEARS OF SERVICE TO 
                                SOCIETY

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JO BONNER

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 25, 2003

  Mr. BONNER. Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to recognize the 
Alabama State Docks on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of its 
official dedication. The dedication took place on June 25, 1928, with 
several dignitaries attending, including Governor Bibb Graves, U.S. 
Congressman John McDuffie, U.S. Senator Hugo Black and the Assistant 
Chief of the United States Department of Transportation. Since that 
time, the port city of Mobile has enjoyed a lengthy history as an 
integral part of the State and National economy.
  In 1519, just a short 27 years following Christopher Columbus's 
discovery of the New World, Spanish explorer Admiral Alvarez de Pineda 
sailed into what is now called Mobile Bay. The present-day city of 
Mobile was founded in 1702 by French explorers Jean Baptiste Le Moyne 
and Sieur de Bienville. The port of Mobile, which lies at the mouth of 
the Mobile River and the head of Mobile Bay, began contributing to the 
economy of the region by becoming one of the leading exporters of 
cotton. Since the early part of the 17th century, the port city has 
flourished to become Alabama's third largest city and among the 
national leaders in international trade.
  The current 45 foot deep navigational channel, which is maintained by 
the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, serves the port well in connecting 
Mobile to the Gulf of Mexico. The Mobile River, which is formed by the 
confluence of the Black Warrior and Tombigbee Rivers, functions as the 
gateway for the Tennessee/Tombigbee Waterway. The obvious economic 
possibilities and the lack of central organizational operation spurred 
the Alabama Legislature to submit a constitutional amendment to develop 
Alabama's Seaport with state financial assistance. The amendment was 
passed in 1922 and the State Docks Commission was formed to build, 
operate and maintain the facilities of the State Docks. With just $10 
million to spend, the Commission chose retired Major General William L. 
Sibert to engineer and construct one of the finest seaports on the Gulf 
Coast. Construction was not yet completed when the new Docks received 
their first cargo ship in May of 1927.
  The port, which ranked 14th in total tonnage in 1999, is ahead of 
other ports such as Tampa, Seattle, Charleston, and Savannah. Mobile 
also ranks first nationally in wood pulp and Gulf coast forest products 
exports. The State Docks has made an overwhelming impact on the State 
economy by generating approximately $3 billion in revenues statewide 
each year. With the ability to service many different products, the 
port continues to position itself among the leaders in international 
trade. And as a self-supporting enterprise agency of the executive 
branch of State government, the facilities prove that they can compete 
and operate to the benefit of not only the people of Alabama but also 
the Nation.
  I ask my colleagues to join me today in recognizing the Alabama State 
Docks for 75 years of excellence and leadership in the shipping 
industry. The residents of Alabama and the American people have all 
benefited greatly from the Docks, existence and its important role in 
today's economy.

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