Baptist Ministers and Longshoremen Endorse Port of Houston Bond
Houston TX —
The Baptist Ministers Association of Houston and Vicinity, and the International Longshoremen’s Association today endorsed the Port of Houston’s bond election, to be held November 6, 2007.Standing together at Mt. Hebron Baptist Church in southeast Houston, leaders of these two important organizations embraced the Port bond issue as a vital investment in Houston's economic future.
"The Port creates economic opportunity and thousands of jobs for people in our area," said Reverend J.J. Roberson, President of the Baptist Ministers Association. "This bond issue will strengthen our community and we’re proud to support it."
Tommy Isbell, President of the International Longshoremen's Association, Local 24, also emphasized the Port's role in delivering jobs to the Harris County region. "The passage of this bond is vital to not only the men and women who work along the ship channel, but nearly 800,000 workers across Texas whose jobs are directly or indirectly impacted by the Port of Houston. A thriving Port has a direct positive impact on the lives of thousands of Harris County residents," Isbell said.
Port of Houston Commissioner Kase Lawal emphasized the Port’s commitment to increasing employment in our region. "This bond issue makes important improvements to the Port's infrastructure without increasing the burden on Harris County taxpayers," Lawal said. "More than $8 billion worth of goods move through the Port of Houston every year and this proposal helps us keep the jobs that come with those goods."
Port of Houston Chairman Jim Edmonds thanked the two groups for their support. "I am gratified that these two organizations have chosen to support this important bond issue," Edmonds said. "As the Port grows, we must continue to increase security. This bond will allow for upgrades to protect the Port of Houston and our local economy."
On November 6, 2007, Harris County voters will be asked to consider $250 million in port bonds, to provide improvements to Port security, support continued construction of the Bayport Container and Cruise Terminal and underwrite important environmental projects. These bonds will not increase Harris County's tax rate.