[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 22 (Wednesday, February 4, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E201-E202]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING H. THOMAS KORNEGAY FOR HIS SERVICE TO THE PORT OF HOUSTON 
                               AUTHORITY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. GENE GREEN

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 4, 2009

  Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas. Madam Speaker, H. Thomas Kornegay's 
influence will be forever respected and admired as he retires as 
executive director from the Port of Houston Authority (PHA) after 37-
years of service.
  The Port of Houston is made up of the PHA and the numerous private 
industrial facilities that line the Houston Ship Channel. The Port 
ranks first in the U.S. in foreign waterborne tonnage and second in 
overall total tonnage. Along with the Houston Ship Channel, the PHA 
aids with navigational safety which has been influential in making 
Houston a center for international trade, moving over 200 million tons 
of cargo in 2006.
  Kornegay played an essential role in developing both the Barbours Cut 
Terminal as well as the Bayport Terminal, each accredited in setting 
the path for continued economic development within the Houston-
Metropolitan region. Along with the development of the two container 
terminals, Kornegay participated heavily in completing the deepening 
and widening of the Houston Ship Channel, a $700 million project which 
benefited Houston and Texas' overall economy and environment. In the 
aftermath of Hurricane Ike, Kornegay also managed the PHA's operational 
recovery with minimal repercussions to PHA's assets. As a result of 
Kornegay's guidance, the PHA posted a ninth consecutive year of growth, 
a record year in the handling of cargo and containers, and all-time 
records in importing and exporting steel.
  Kornegay's leadership roles have been astounding, including serving 
as chairman of the board of the American Association of Port 
Authorities and chairman of the U.S. Delegation of AAPA, an 
organization that represents more than 140 public port authorities in 
North America, Latin America, Canada, and the Caribbean. Kornegay was 
also president of the International Association of Ports and Harbors 
from 2005-2007, which has affiliated ports that handle more than 60 
percent of the world's seaborne trade in metric tons.
  Kornegay has been named ``Maritime Person of the Year'' by the 
Greater Houston Port Bureau, as well as ``Engineer of the Year'' by 
local Houston engineers. Kornegay has also received the Russell H. 
Perry Award by the Texas Department of Transportation.

[[Page E202]]

  H. Thomas Kornegay was first selected as PHA's executive director in 
April 1992 after working with the Port Authority staff since April 
1972. Kornegay will retire after 17 years from his position as PHA's 
executive director, but his contributions will forever impact the 
success of the Port of Houston.

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