WPPA & NWSA Present Representative Joe Ftizgibbon with 2019 Compass Award
On Tuesday, October 29, the Washington Public Ports Association was pleased to present Representative Joe Fitzgibbon with the Compass Award, at the Northwest Seaport Alliance meeting.
From Left to Right: Port of Seattle Commissioner Fred Felleman, Port of Tacoma Commissioner Don Meyer, Port of Seattle Commissioner Stephanie Bowman, WPPA Executive Director James Thompson, Representative Joe Fitzgibbon, Port of Seattle Commissioner Courtney Gregoire, Port of Tacoma Commissioner Don Johnson, Port of Tacoma Commissioner Dick Marzano, Port of Tacoma Commissioner Clare Petrich.
Each year, WPPA presents two representatives (one Democrat, one Republican) with an award, designed to showcase the appreciation of the association’s members (as well as their respective community support) for legislators with long-term vision, making a positive difference in their home districts.
For 2019, the Association has honored both Representative Joe Fitzgibbon (D - 34th District, West Seattle) and Representative Bruce Chandler (R -15th District, Yakima Valley).
Representative Joe Fitzgibbon is the Chair of the House Environment & Energy Committee and has been a stalwart advocate for ports in recent years on cleanup grants, as well as untangling how we account for greenhouse gases under SEPA. He is a strong environmental advocate while also balancing the importance of jobs and a strong economy.
In its second year, the Compass Award was designed to recognize both a Republican and Democrat legislator that have shown special support of port districts. The recipient receives an engraved compass – a symbol of heading in the right direction.
In response to receiving the recognition, Rep. Fitzgibbon noted, "Our ports are an important component of Washington's trade-dependent economy, and we must continue to grow our commitment to connecting Washington to the world economy via our public ports. I look forward to our work in the years to come to ensure that toxic cleanup grants are a priority in the state capital budget so contaminated sites can be cleaned up and brought back into productive use for our state."
The awards were initially presented at the Association’s Spring Meeting in Spokane, where over 200 port commissioners, executive directors, port staff and associate members from throughout the state meet on topics including economic development, trade and transportation infrastructure, environmental remediation projects and more.
Read the full press release here.