[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 165 (Wednesday, September 23, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E875-E876]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING JOHN REINHART FOR HIS RETIREMENT FROM THE PORT OF VIRGINIA

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ELAINE G. LURIA

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 23, 2020

  Mrs. LURIA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor and recognize John 
Reinhart upon his retirement from the Port of Virginia.

[[Page E876]]

  For nearly seven years, John has led the Port of Virginia as the 
Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director. John assembled and 
cultivated a skilled and highly knowledgeable team, then provided 
impressive leadership and vision, to transform the Port of Virginia 
into a twenty-first century facility.
  With a mantra of ``Wider, Deeper & Safer,'' John steered the 
approval, funding and commencement of dredging the Norfolk Harbor and 
Channels to fifty-five feet depth. This will allow Hampton Roads to 
accommodate fully loaded Ultra-Large Container Vessels now and in the 
future. As Hampton Roads is also home to the world's largest naval base 
with six aircraft carriers, this widening will also enable safe, two-
way traffic to prevent delays to commercial and military vessels.
  Under John's supervision, the Port of Virginia constructed the new 
Virginia International Gateway. Hosting the largest ship-to-shore 
cranes in the Western Hemisphere, this state-of-the-art facility has 
some of the best cargo flow rates and vehicle turn-times in the nation.
  While expanding the Port's capacity, John also successfully reduced 
emissions by transitioning away from diesel-driven container movement 
to an electric, safer and more space-conscious method of container 
handling and stacking. These electric gantry cranes dramatically reduce 
emissions, fuel consumption and noise.
  With a vision for the future, John has planned and begun building the 
first infrastructure dedicated to our region's nascent offshore wind 
industry. Recognizing the Port of Virginia's natural benefits with a 
deep channel and no overhead obstructions, he has helped posture 
Hampton Roads to become a nucleus for our nation's growing carbon-free 
power generation industry.
  The improvements John has made at the Port have benefited not only 
all Virginians but most Americans. The Port of Virginia's reach covers 
all commerce east of the Mississippi River and even extends to Kansas 
City, MO. Through the partnerships John helped build, the Port of 
Virginia achieved record-setting cargo volume for six consecutive 
years. The COVID-19 pandemic has proven American businesses and workers 
need efficient and reliable supply chains, and the Port has proven 
vital to this endeavor.
  John's dedication to strengthening and improving Virginia's 
infrastructure and economy is truly inspiring. I am proud to honor and 
recognize his leadership and the role he plays in making our community 
a better place. Hampton Roads has significantly benefited from his 
efforts.

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