
The MTD was well represented when U.S.-flag labor and industry officials hit Capitol Hill on March 6 for the 10th annual Maritime Congressional Sail-In.
More than 150 people ranging from rank-and-file mariners to company CEOs visited 195 offices on both the Senate and House side of the nation’s Capitol to promote the Jones Act, the Maritime Security Program, cargo preference laws and a Congressional gold medal for World War II merchant mariners.
While heavy emphasis was placed on meeting with newly elected officials and their staffs, many longtime supporters received a well-deserved “thank-you” from the more than 30 groups of union and business representatives working together.
Showing the colors for the MTD were Executive Secretary-Treasurer Daniel Duncan, Executive Board Member Augie Tellez (SIU) and officers from 12 Port Maritime Councils, including Joe Baselice (Delaware Valley), Todd Brdak (Michigan), Tracy Burke (Hampton Roads), Amancio Crespo (San Juan), Paul Doell (South Florida), John Hoskins (Baltimore), Gunnar Lundeberg (San Francisco), Brian Powell (St. Louis), Michael Russo (West Gulf), Joseph Soresi (New York/New Jersey), Chris Westbrook (New Orleans) and Jimmy White (Mobile).