Senator David Vitter to receive Alvin Bertel Award

NEW ORLEANS, LA, USA – The World Trade Center of New Orleans announced that U.S. Senator David Vitter has been selected to receive the 2016 C. Alvin Bertel Award. Senator Vitter will be honored at the annual C. Alvin Bertel Award ceremony and luncheon on Wednesday, July 20, 2016 at the Sheraton New Orleans Hotel. The C. Alvin Bertel Award was established in 1967 and is presented each year to an individual who has made significant contributions to the Louisiana port community.

David Vitter has served as United States Senator from the State of Louisiana since his election in 2004. He is currently Chairman of the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, and serves on the Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs, the Committee on Environment and Public Works, and the Committee on the Judiciary.

As Chairman of the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, Senator Vitter has assisted in creating legislation critical to the health of Louisiana small businesses, including job training and job creation initiatives, expanding and strengthening local industries, lowering tax rates, and simplifying the cost of running a business. Senator Vitter has also supported numerous free trade laws which create jobs in the Gulf economy and bring in revenue for the state of Louisiana. He has defended Louisiana from the unfair trade practices of foreign competitors, especially with respect to the critical Gulf seafood industry.

Senator Vitter has also worked tirelessly to strengthen the region’s maritime and shipping industries. During his 16 years in Congress, Senator Vitter has secured billions in federal funding to ensure the safe, efficient operation and maintenance of Louisiana’s ports and waterways. He has been a vocal, reliable advocate of the Jones Act which protects American maritime employees. In his legislative role, Senator Vitter has obtained priority funding for emerging, low-use, and energy ports which are key to international trade and commerce.

He has championed major projects essential to local industry, such as the Acadiana Gulf of Mexico Access Channel deepening for the Port of Iberia. He also authored and passed legislation in the Water Resources Reform and Development Act to deepen the lower Mississippi River and accommodate larger vessels. Additionally, he has authored substantial reforms to expedite critical construction projects in the inland waterway system as well as increased funding for major repairs to dams and locks.

Senator Vitter has also been instrumental in obtaining critical federal flood relief assistance for the state of Louisiana in the aftermath of the Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita disasters, ensuring ongoing aid to the region during its recovery. He was the primary author of the Water Resources and Development Act, which brought $3.6 billion in recovery funds for Louisiana.

Senator David Vitter has received several awards and commendations through the years, including the 2010 Congressional Leadership Award from the International Propeller Club of the United States, the 2013 Congressional Leadership Award from the National Waterways Conference, and more recently, the 2015 Port Person of the Year Award from the American Association of Port Authorities.

A native of Metairie, Louisiana, Senator Vitter is a graduate of De La Salle High School in New Orleans. He attended Harvard University and was selected to be a Rhodes Scholar at Oxford University. He received his Juris Doctor from Tulane University Law School.

Tickets to the award ceremony and luncheon can be purchased online at www.wtcno.org. Table options and sponsorship packages are also available; please contact Jessica Steverson at (504) 529-1601 or jsteverson@wtcno.org.

About the C. Alvin Bertel Award

The C. Alvin Bertel Award was established in 1967 and is presented each year to an individual who has made significant contributions to the Louisiana port community. The award recipient is selected by a committee of eleven international trade, transportation, and economic development organizations in the New Orleans area. Nominating organizations include the Board of Commissioners of the Port of New Orleans, City of New Orleans, International Freight Forwarders and Customs Brokers Association, Louisiana Maritime Association, Jefferson Parish, New Orleans Board of Trade, New Orleans Chamber of Commerce, Plaquemines Port, Harbor, & Terminal District, Port of South Louisiana, St. Bernard Port, Harbor, & Terminal District, and the World Trade Center of New Orleans.

About the World Trade Center of New Orleans

The World Trade Center of New Orleans (WTCNO) is the strongest international business organization in the Gulf Coast region, consisting of 1,000+ companies as well as high profile individual members. This membership base represents a diverse group of industry leaders, companies, professional organizations, and government institutions that include manufacturers, energy, agriculture, maritime, digital media, foreign consulates, and other interests. In 2014, member organizations were able to significantly contribute to the state’s record-breaking exports, the total value of which exceeded $65.1 billion. This strong international organization creates a variety of opportunities for its stakeholders with the objective to add wealth to its community as well as create jobs through international trade and related services while fostering business and economic development by engaging in allied activities. 

For more information, please visit www.wtcno.org.