House Republican Press Release

June 6, 2008

Press Office: 860-240-8700

Rep. Miller Appointed to Connecticut Maritime Commission

Panel Develops Maritime Policy for State; Supports Development of CT’s Maritime Commerce and Industries

State Representative Lawrence G. Miller has been appointed to the Connecticut Maritime Commission by House Republican Leader Lawrence F. Cafero Jr.

“As one of the legislators who represent the shoreline town of Stratford, I have never hesitated to fight proposals that could be hazardous to commercial shipping or which threaten the environmental integrity of Long Island Sound and its fisheries,” said Representative Miller, R-122^nd District. “Thousands of jobs in Connecticut’s coastal communities depend directly or indirectly on seaborne commerce, commercial fishing, tourism, and recreation. For those industries to continue to prosper and provide badly-needed jobs for shoreline residents; our port facilities need to be upgraded regularly to accommodate the changing needs of commercial cargo shipping; sea lanes need to be kept free of hazards to navigation; and Long Island Sound’s waters kept pollution-free. I will aggressively pursue all of those goals as a member of the Connecticut Maritime Commission.”

“As a member of the Environment and Energy & Technology committees, Larry Miller has demonstrated his concern for Long Island Sound’s fragile ecology and its importance to our state’s economy time and time again,” Representative Cafero said. “He has been resolute in his opposition to projects that threaten the economic future of our shoreline communities and diligent in his support for safe, affordable and environmentally-friendly energy projects that pose no threat to the Sound and help ensure a prosperous future for the people of southeast Connecticut. Larry’s background includes association with companies with deepwater ports in Bridgeport and New Haven. Larry also managed a barge facility for Paragon Oil in Bridgeport for almost 20 years.  His experience made him uniquely qualified for this important panel and I was pleased to appoint him to it.”

The 15-member Connecticut Maritime Commission advises the transportation commissioner, governor, and legislature on maritime policy and operations; develops and recommends maritime policy to the governor and legislature; supports development of Connecticut’s maritime commerce and industries, including its deepwater ports; recommends investments and actions, including dredging, required to preserve and enhance them; conducts studies and makes recommendations on maritime issues; and supports Connecticut port development, including identifying new opportunities, analyzing the potential for and encouraging private port investment, and recommending policies that support port operations.