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January 8, 2005

Rahall Report: Marshall University Leading Region in Ohio River Research

[Image: us-rep-nick-rahall.jpg(7207 bytes)]
The Hon. Nick Rahall,
U.S. House of Representatives

From the desk of U.S. Rep. Nick Rahall (D-WV)
Representing West Virginia's 3rd District

Washington, D.C. (HNN) — I am very excited to attend the upcoming Maritime Summit on Ohio River Research scheduled to take place in Huntington, Jan. 31-Feb. 2, 2005. The idea for this Summit was born last year as I met and talked with local leaders on the importance of using Transportation, Technology and Tourism to increase economic development in the mountains of West Virginia. Continuing to increase employment opportunities for West Virginians has always been and will continue to be my top priority as your U.S. Representative. That is why I am focusing on the three T's in my efforts to assist with revitalization of our home state.

The Port of Huntington, our nation's largest inland port and the seventh largest waterway port in the entire United States, offers numerous opportunities for economic growth and job creation for not only West Virginia but the entire tri-state area. One of the primary goals of the Maritime Summit is to create the forum for promoting and protecting our region's vital contribution to the national transportation system through its rivers, ports, terminals and dedicated workforce.

A broad range of topics will be addressed at the Maritime Summit. These include closely examining the challenges related to the transportation infrastructure of the region, exploring the recent developments in port services and operations, growing the field of education and research on the Ohio River, and understanding the recent advances in technology that could help to enhance economic development throughout the inland waterways system.

This Maritime Summit is being hosted by the Rahall Transportation Institute and the Marshall University Center for Environmental, Geotechnical and Applied Sciences in cooperation with the West Virginia Port Authority, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, the Huntington District Waterways Association, the Appalachian Regional Commission, the Waterways Council, Inc., the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Coast Guard.

I am pleased that such a diverse group of organizations have come together to address both the challenges and the opportunities that exist with regards to our regions intermodal transportation systems. I am also optimistic that the upcoming Maritime Summit will highlight the importance of the Huntington Region and the Ohio River to the nation's waterborne commerce. Our regions maritime work force and facilities is an economic asset and we must position ourselves to play an even larger role in the national and international economy of the 21st century.

For additional information on the Maritime Summit, contact Dana Robertson at Robertson@marshall.edu or (304) 697-5616 or go to the Rahall Transportation Institute website at www.marshall.edu/rti

Read Previous Rahall Report: December 31. 2004

U.S. Rep. Nick Rahall (D-WV) represents West Virginia's 3rd District.
Official Congressional Web site

Contact information for U.S. Representative Nick Rahall

	Address	Phone
Washington Office	2307 Rayburn HOB Washington, DC 20515	(202) 225-3452 (202) 225-9061 (Fax)
Bluefield Office	601 Federal St. Room 1005 Bluefield, WV 24701	(304) 325-6222 (304) 325-0552 (Fax)
Beckley Office	106 Main St. Beckley, WV 25801	(304) 252-5000 (304) 252-9803 (Fax)
Huntington Office	845 Fifth Ave. Huntington, WV 25701	(304) 522-6425 (304) 529-5716 (Fax)
Logan Office	220 Dingess Street Logan, WV 25601	(304) 752-4934 (304) 752-8797 (Fax)

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