Scott Honored as “Port Champion” by Virginia Maritime Association

NEWPORT NEWS, VA - Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03) was honored Thursday with the Virginia Maritime Association's (VMA) "Port Champion" Award in recognition of his longstanding leadership and advocacy for the Port of Virginia and the Commonwealth's maritime industry. The award recognizes Congressman Scott's efforts to secure critical federal investments in Virginia's maritime infrastructure.

"I am honored to receive this recognition from the Virginia Maritime Association," said Congressman Scott. "The Port of Virginia is a critical economic engine for Hampton Roads and the entire Commonwealth. I have been proud to work with my colleagues in the Virginia congressional delegation and our maritime partners to secure investments that strengthen our infrastructure, support good-paying jobs and ensure Virginia remains competitive in global trade. I look forward to continuing that partnership to support our maritime industry for generations to come."

Full text of the resolution from the Virginia Maritime Association can be found below.

WHEREAS, the Virginia Maritime Association is privileged to have had the service of Congressman Robert "Bobby" Scott as the U.S. Representative for the Third District of the Commonwealth of Virginia since 1993, following service in the Virginia House of Delegates from 1978 to 1983 and the Senate of Virginia from 1983 to 1993, and as the first African American elected to Congress from Virginia in more than a century, and

WHEREAS, Congressman Scott chaired the Committee on Education and Labor in the 116th and 117th Congresses, served in the 114th, 115th, 118th Congresses and currently serves as the Ranking Member and serves as a member of the Committee on the Budget, and has strengthened the skilled trades our terminals and shipyards depend upon, and

WHEREAS, Congressman Scott has been a steadfast champion of 'Wider, Deeper, Safer®', working with the Virginia delegation to complete the Norfolk Harbor Widening and Deepening Project and give the Commonwealth the deepest commercial channels on the East Coast at fifty-five feet, and

WHEREAS, Congressman Scott has likewise championed the deepening of the Southern Branch of the Elizabeth River, on behalf of the marine terminals, shipyards, and waterfront industries whose berths depend on it, and

WHEREAS, Congressman Scott has consistently and generously supported this Association, joining our members year after year at the Annual Maritime Banquet and the Navigation Summit in a spirit of cooperation and partnership, and

WHEREAS, through these efforts, Congressman Scott has strengthened Virginia's maritime transportation system and positioned the greater Port of Virginia and the Commonwealth as leaders in global trade,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Virginia Maritime Association that sincere appreciation is expressed for the splendid service extended and readiness to assist the Maritime Industry as a "Port Champion" promoting, protecting, and encouraging Virginia's ports.

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, witness by these signatures this fifteenth day of October 2026 and the seal of the Association.

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