Ruppersberger Named Co-Chair of the Congressional Port Security Caucus
Ruppersberger to Lead Effort to Improve America's Port Security and Keep Commerce Flowing

(Washington, D.C.)- Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD) has been named as a Co-Chair of the Congressional Port Security Caucus for the 109th Congress. He will work with Caucus Members to ensure that port and maritime security remain top priorities on the Congressional Agenda.

With 361 sea and river ports that receive and distribute 95% of the nation's cargo, the United States economic strength is dependent upon vigilant port security efforts. The mission of the Caucus is to identify port security concerns and make legislative recommendations while ensuring that government partners with private industry to keep business flowing.

Congressman Ruppersberger represents Maryland's 2nd Congressional District that includes the Port of Baltimore. The Port directly employs 16,000 workers, indirectly employs an additional 17,000 people, and generates $1.5 billion in revenue annually.

"The Port of Baltimore is one of Maryland's biggest economic engines. To ensure that the Port of Baltimore and other Ports across the country are successful in the future, I believe we must bring together government and the private sector to balance the needs of security with the needs of business. The Port Security Caucus gives Congress a forum to work through these important issues," said Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD).

Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine), Senator Daniel K. Inouye (D-Hawaii), and Congressman Henry Brown (R-South Carolina's 1st District) are also co-chairs of the Port Security Caucus. The Caucus was founded in 2003 to provide a bi-cameral, bi-partisan Congressional effort to address security concerns at our nation's ports after the September 11th terrorist attacks.

See also: Port Security Caucus

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