[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 189 (Tuesday, December 6, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Page S6997]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO JUDITH ADAMS

 Mr. SHELBY. Madam President, today I wish to honor the 
retirement of Judith Adams from the Alabama State Port Authority after 
28 years of impactful service. Judy has played an integral role in the 
growth and development of the Port of Mobile, which has been one of my 
greatest legislative priorities. Without Judy, the Port of Mobile would 
not be what it is today. I would be remiss to not formally thank her 
for all of her hard work.
  In July of 1990, Judy was hired by John Dutton, then director of the 
State dock system of Alabama, to work on media relations and serve as 
the port's representative in legislative efforts. Four years later, 
Judy was named the official liaison between the Federal Government and 
the Alabama State Port Authority, overseeing the transfer of the Navy 
homeport to the port.
  Following her success in that role, Judy was promoted to 
superintendent at Middle Bay and ran the Theodore Operations. She 
continued to prove herself a viable asset and climbed the ranks again 
in 2002 to become manager of media relations.
  She was a key facilitator of multiple economic development projects, 
including landing APM Terminals in 2008, which has been a catalyst for 
skyrocketing activity at the port. She also oversaw teams that 
recruited Aker Solutions ASA, Berg Spiral Pipe Corporation, and the 
ThyssenKrupp projects to Mobile. In partnership with the U.S. Army 
Corps of Engineers, Judy led community outreach efforts that resulted 
in a successful Record of Decision for the port's harbor deepening and 
widening program.
  Serving the State of Alabama with such depth of knowledge, Judy's 
final role as the senior vice president of internal and external 
affairs oversaw everything she had accomplished in her wide-ranging 
career with the Alabama State Port Authority. With Judy's significant 
involvement, the Port of Mobile has become the fastest growing gateway 
for containerized cargo in the United States.
  Since joining the port in 1990, Judy has worked with four U.S. 
Senators, four Members of Alabama's First Congressional District, eight 
Governors, four mayors, and countless county commission, city council, 
and State legislative officials.
  Judy has earned recognitions from GulfShipper for her outstanding 
leadership and commitment to excellence in international trade and 
transportation and the U.S. Marine Corps for her help with the 26th 
Marine Expeditionary Unit's ``Training in an Urban Environment Exercise 
(TRUEX) XXXVII'' conducted at Middle Bay Port.
  A graduate of Louisiana State University and previous chair of the 
American Association of Port Authorities Public Relations Committee, 
Judy currently serves on the board of directors and executive committee 
of the National Waterways Conference, Alabama Germany Partnership's 
board of directors, Partners for Environmental Progress, and the Coosa-
Alabama River Improvement Association.
  Judy Adams helped shape a more prosperous future for the Port of 
Mobile and the entire State of Alabama. The decisions she made and the 
projects she championed will benefit our State for years to come. She 
leaves behind a tenacious legacy that will not be forgotten, and I will 
miss working with her.
  I am proud to take this time to recognize her service with the 
Alabama State Port Authority, which will continue to reap the fruits of 
her labor. Her achievements and dedication to transforming the Port of 
Mobile have not gone unnoticed. I join Judy Adams' friends, family, and 
colleagues in wishing her the best of luck as she transitions into a 
new chapter of her life.

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