The Federal Maritime Commission announced today that Joseph E. Brennan has been  designated Acting Chairman of the Federal Maritime Commission by President Barack Obama.  Chairman Brennan was initially nominated to serve on the Commission by President William J. Clinton in 1999 and nominated to serve a second term by President George W. Bush in 2004.

                With this appointment, Chairman Brennan continues a distinguished career of public service.  After serving in the U.S. Army, Chairman Brennan graduated from Boston College and the University of Maine School of Law.  He became a representative in the Maine House of Representatives in 1965 and went on to serve as district attorney for Cumberland County, as a Maine state senator, and as the State's attorney general.  Chairman Brennan was elected governor of the State of Maine in 1979, a position he held until 1987, and also served as chairman of the Conference of New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers.  He subsequently served in the U.S. House of Representatives until 1991, during which time he oversaw maritime matters as a member of the Armed Services Committee and Merchant Marine and Fisheries Committee.  Upon leaving the U.S. Congress, Chairman Brennan entered private practice as an attorney in Washington, D.C.  He is married to Constance Brennan and has two adult children, Joseph and Tara.

                In accepting this presidential designation, Chairman Brennan noted that "the shipping statutes and regulations are meant to ensure fair competition and consumer protection."  He also said he wants the Commission "to meet all of its regulatory responsibilities while always trying to minimize the cost to regulated entities and the American taxpayer."  Chairman Brennan looks forward to working with the maritime industry to promote fair competition and to ensure that the nation has an efficient and effective maritime transportation system capable of meeting the needs of the American consumer.