OLYMPIA, Washington – The Washington Public Ports Association (WPPA) works on behalf of public ports across Washington, representing the interests of ports with the state legislature and beyond. Our success in promoting the work done by our port members requires leadership, vision and collaboration from state legislators who understand the vital role ports play in our state’s economy.

Since 2018, WPPA has been recognizing legislators who provide extraordinary leadership and unparalleled vision in advancing the importance and future of public ports for the communities they serve. This year, we are pleased to announce our selection of Representative Andrew Barkis from Washington’s 2nd Legislative District as a 2023 Compass Award winner.

Rep. Barkis is the Ranking Republican on the House Transportation Committee and the Chair of the legislative Rail Caucus. In those roles he has supported robust infrastructure investment, sponsored legislation promoting investments in freight rail, and more. His work augments Washington’s ports in their mission of promoting economic development in their communities and across the state. WPPA also recognizes Rep. Barkis for his leadership and role in passing the transportation budget for the 2023-2025 biennium.

“Since coming to the Legislature, Rep. Barkis has been a great partner for WPPA and for ports across Washington,” said WPPA Executive Director Eric ffitch. “His grasp of port priority issues, his leadership on the Transportation Committee and on the Rail Caucus, and his ability to work across the aisle on concrete solutions to our transportation challenges all make him a truly stellar port champion. We are grateful for Rep. Barkis’ work and are pleased to celebrate and recognize him with our 2023 Compass Award.”

“I’m honored to receive this recognition from the Washington Public Ports Association,” said Rep. Barkis. “I recognize the importance our ports play in our state’s economy. I look forward to continuing our partnership and working together in the future.”

WPPA was joined by the ports of Olympia and Tacoma in presenting Rep. Barkis with its 2023 Compass Award. These WPPA member ports expressed their appreciation for his hard work and vision on behalf of communities in their districts and across the state.

Each year, WPPA recognizes one Democratic legislator and one Republican legislator with a Compass Award. The other 2023 Compass Award winner is Rep. David Hackney (D-11th LD), who was recognized on May 19, 2023, at the WPPA’s Spring Meeting in Spokane, Washington.

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As a state legislative and regulatory advocacy organization, the Washington Public Ports Association (WPPA) fosters public policy for ports to achieve their goals. The WPPA was formed by the Legislature in 1961 to represent public port districts throughout Washington, serving as the focus through which ports work cooperatively to develop policy direction, share information, and address issues on economic development, trade, transportation, and environmental stewardship. Public port districts offer a wide range of locally governed services, including marine terminals, barge facilities, industrial development, marinas, airports, railroads, and tourism promotion.