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Introduction\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n
Chairman Gibbs, Ranking Member Bishop, and distinguished members of the House Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee, thank you for the opportunity to be here today to discuss the \u201cFoundations for a New Water Resources Development Act.\u201d<\/p>\n
My name is Amy Larson and I am the President of the National Waterways Conference. The Conference would like to thank Chairman Gibbs for his leadership, as well as Ranking Member Bishop and this Committee, for its long tradition of cooperation and collaboration in addressing the nation\u2019s critical water resources needs.<\/p>\n
Established in 1960, the Conference is the only national organization to advocate in favor of national policy and laws that recognize the vital importance of America\u2019s water resources infrastructure to our nation\u2019s well-being and quality of life. Supporting a sound balance between economic and human needs and environmental and ecological considerations, our mission is to effect common sense policies and programs, recognizing the public value of our nation\u2019s water resources and their contribution to public safety, a competitive economy, national security, environmental quality and energy conservation. Conference membership is comprised of the full spectrum of water resources stakeholders, including flood control associations, levee boards, waterways shippers and carriers, industry and regional associations, port authorities, shipyards, dredging contractors, regional water supply districts, engineering consultants, and state and local governments. In that regard, our membership is keenly interested in the enactment of comprehensive water resources legislation and we look forward to working with the Committee as we move forward in this process.<\/p>\n