[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 152 (Tuesday, October 20, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2577]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   HONORING CAPTAIN WEI JIAFU FOR HIS LONGSTANDING COMMITMENT TO THE 
                CITIZENS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. STEPHEN F. LYNCH

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 20, 2009

  Mr. LYNCH. Madam Speaker, I am privileged today to honor a pioneer 
who has helped create a strong bridge of understanding and development 
between the people of his country and the people of the United States 
of America. For over a decade Captain Wei Jiafu has been the President 
of COSCO, the largest ocean shipping company in the People's Republic 
of China. During this time Captain Wei has worked hard to increase the 
level of understanding between U.S. and Chinese business leaders.
  Captain Wei's relationship with the U.S. has been a long and honored 
one. In his early years as a sea captain, Captain Wei was given special 
recognition by the U.S. Coast Guard for his knowledge and skill in 
navigating U.S. waters. In addition to Captain Wei's technical 
knowledge of U.S. waters, he commands a mastery of the navigational 
practices that make both national and international waters safe. Under 
Captain Wei's leadership, COSCO was the first foreign shipping company 
to comply with newly-enacted Homeland Security regulations governing 
shipping containers. As astounding as all of these accomplishments may 
be, Captain Wei's dedication to the U.S. goes further.
  Throughout his career, Captain Wei's commitment to the American 
workforce has been unwavering. As President of COSCO, Captain Wei 
oversees the largest Chinese employer of American citizens. Under 
Captain Wei's guidance, COSCO has been honored by the ports of Long 
Beach, Seattle, New York, and Boston, for his commitment to their 
employees. Must notably, has been his commitment to the workers of 
Massachusetts, where COSCO has contributed to the creation of thousands 
of maritime-related jobs by establishing shipping services between the 
Port of Boston and ports in China. Captain Wei has even dedicated a 
chair to Boston's prestigious Harvard University.
  In addition, Captain Wei has been instrumental in protecting our 
oceans. He has generously donated to the cause of cleaner oceans and 
the protection of sea life in Alaska.
  With that in mind, I would like to commend Captain Wei for his 
commitment to professionalism which has facilitated both a productive 
and personal relationship between the people of the United States of 
America and the People's Republic of China. Furthermore, I would like 
to recognize Captain Wei for his charitable contributions in support of 
higher learning in the United States and around the world. Captain Wei 
is truly a ``Peoples' Ambassador'' to the United States of America.

                          ____________________