For Immediate Release
May 29th, 2012
Contacts:
Abhi Bhansali, Greater New Orleans, Inc., 504.897.0462, abhi@bondpublicrelations.com
Erik Noriega, Greater Houston Partnership, 713.844.3663, enoriega@houston.org
Mike Cashion, Mississippi Hospitality & Restaurant Association, 601.608.0223,
mikecashion@msra.org
Leigh Perry-Herndon, Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce, 251.431.8645,
LHerndon@Mobilechamber.com
Beth Oltman, Panama City Beach Chamber of Commerce, 850.235-1159, beth@pcbeach.org
Gulf Region Cities, Municipalities, and Chambers of Commerce To Congress:
Pass RESTORE Act, Restore Local Economies, Create Jobs
Coalition pushes for economic restoration provided by RESTORE
As Congress prepares to vote on the RESTORE Act, more than 100 leaders of cities,
municipalities, economic development organizations, and chambers of commerce throughout
the Gulf region have sent a joint letter to Senate and House leaders urging them to consider the
deep economic benefit and job creation potential the region would have if the RESTORE Act
were made law. If passed, the RESTORE Act would direct the majority of penalties paid by those
responsible for the Deepwater Horizon oil spill back to Gulf communities.
“This legislation is vital to our communities’ efforts to bounce back from the Deepwater
Horizon oil spill,” the letter said. “The economic and ecological restoration called for under the
RESTORE Act will create needed private sector jobs while reclaiming vital natural and
commercial assets that are unique to the Gulf Coast.”
Earlier this year, the House and Senate both passed versions of the RESTORE Act as part of their
Transportation Bills. The legislation dedicates 80 percent of the Clean Water Act fines from BP,
and the other parties responsible for the Gulf oil spill, to restoring the Gulf Coast. The
legislation will ensure money paid to the federal government in penalties is used to rebuild the
economies of Gulf Coast communities that were directly impacted by the spill. Without this
directive, billions of dollars in expected fines could go toward unrelated federal spending. The
bills are now in conference awaiting final action from Congress in order to send them to the
President’s desk to become law.
“The long-term viability of the Gulf is dependent upon preserving its coast. The economy and
security of the nation is significantly dependent upon the Gulf,” said Michael Hecht, president
and CEO of Greater New Orleans, Inc. “With this interdependence in mind, passing the
RESTORE Act is both a regional and national imperative.”
Signatories include the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry, Florida Restaurant and
Lodging Association, and the West Galveston Island Property Owners Association in Texas,
among others. Together, they are urging Congress to focus on the legislation’s short- and longterm impact on the fisheries, marine and wildlife habitats, beaches, and outdoor spaces that
are fundamental to the Gulf Coast economy and play a critical role in the viability of our
national economy.
According to a Duke University study released in December 2011, the RESTORE Act could create
jobs that would benefit at least 140 businesses across the country with nearly 400 employee
locations in 37 states. According to the National Marine Fisheries Service, the Gulf produces
roughly 40 percent of the seafood in the contiguous 48 states, and the region is also home to
10 of the country’s 15 largest ports.
“The devastating effect of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill disaster continues to have a longterm impact on businesses and the environment along the Gulf Coast,” said Win Hallett,
president of the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce. “We strongly urge swift passage of the
RESTORE Act to make ‘whole’ cities, counties, businesses, individuals, and ecosystems across
the Gulf of Mexico.”
“The growth and health of the Gulf Coast region from Texas, through Houston, to Florida is
critical to the wellbeing of the U.S. economy,” said Micah Hirschfield, vice president of
communications at the Greater Houston Partnership, the Houston business community's
primary advocate. “For that reason, GHP urges support and approval of the RESTORE Act, which
helps our region develop and fittingly appropriates the funds from the Deepwater Horizon oil
spill to the communities that need it.”
“This commitment to reinvest in the Mississippi Gulf Coast is critically important as the
businesses move toward a full recovery,” said Mike Cashion, executive director of the
Mississippi Hospitality & Restaurant Association. “The Gulf Coast is a tourism destination with a
wonderful story to tell. Restoration of the Gulf Coast, and the tourism industry will mean more
jobs and an across-the-board positive economic impact.”
“In Panama City Beach, our economy depends on beautiful natural resources that were injured
in the BP oil disaster, including our alluring beaches and fresh Gulf seafood, which drive tourism
to our restaurants, resorts, and businesses,” said Beth Oltman, president and CEO of the
Panama City Beach Chamber of Commerce. “Passage of the RESTORE Act will not only put the
Gulf Coast on the path to revitalize our precious natural resources but also to mend our
economy.”
Full text of the letter is below.
The Honorable Harry Reid
Majority Leader
U.S. Senate
S-221 United States Capitol
Washington, DC 20510
The Honorable Mitch A. McConnell
Republican Leader
U.S. Senate
S-230 Capitol Building
Washington, DC 20510
The Honorable John A. Boehner
Speaker
U.S. House of Representatives
H-232 United States Capitol
Washington, DC 20515
The Honorable Nancy Pelosi
Democratic Leader
U.S. House of Representatives
H-204 United States Capitol
Washington, DC 20515
May 30, 2012
To our Senate and House Leaders:
It has been two years since the start of the gulf oil spill which had profound environmental and
economic impacts on the Gulf Coast communities. As leaders of concerned communities, cities,
associations and businesses, we affirm our support for the RESTORE Act in the context of the
transportation reauthorization bill.
The RESTORE Act would help restore our region’s economy and the natural resources on which
our communities rely. This common-sense legislation would direct 80 percent of the Clean
Water Act civil penalties paid by those responsible for the spill back to our communities - where
the damage from the spill was done.
This legislation is vital to our efforts to bounce back from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The
economic and ecological restoration called for under the RESTORE Act will create needed
private sector jobs while reclaiming vital natural and commercial assets that are unique to the
Gulf Coast and critically important to the economic and environmental health of the nation.
We are grateful for the leadership of our congressional delegations in advancing the RESTORE
Act and for the support you and your colleagues already have demonstrated for the gulf region.
The decisive action in both the House and the Senate on the RESTORE Act to dedicate the
penalties to the gulf reflects broad support across the country for gulf restoration.
We hope that you will do all you can in this crucial effort to make our communities whole and
deliver passage of the RESTORE Act as a part of the final transportation bill to the President to
sign into law as soon as possible.
Sincerely,
The following 118 Gulf Coast cities, municipalities, economic development groups and
chambers of commerce
Jo Hood
Chairman
Alabama Gulf Coast
Chamber of Commerce
Rebecca Templeton
Executive Director
Bayou Grace Community
Services
Herb Malone
President and CEO
Alabama Gulf Coast
Convention & Visitors
Bureau
Jennifer Armand
Executive Director
Bayou Industrial Group
Jeff Collier
Mayor
Town of Dauphin Island,
AL
Jim Rich
President and CEO
Beaumont Chamber of
Commerce, TX
Fred B. Rounsaville
Chairman
Dauphin Island Water and
Sewer Authority, AL
William Stallworth
Councilman
City of Biloxi, MS
Larry Sassano
President
Economic Development
Council of Okaloosa
County, FL
Lawrence M. Fidel
President and CAE
Alabama Hospitality
Association &
Alabama Restaurant
Association
Jerry Mohn
President
American Shore & Beach
Preservation Association:
Texas Chapter
Tommy Martinez
Parish President
Ascension Parish, LA
Assumption Parish Police
Jury, LA
Charles Gruber
County Commissioner
Baldwin County, AL
District 4
Adam Knapp
President and CEO
Baton Rouge Area
Chamber, LA
Carol Roberts
President and CEO
Bay County Chamber of
Commerce, FL
Neal Wade
Executive Director
Bay County Economic
Development Alliance, FL
Lisa Johnson
President and CEO
Bossier Chamber of
Commerce, LA
William Canary
President and CEO
Business Council of
Alabama
Les Faurnum
President
Calcasieu Parish Police
Jury, LA
Earnestine Horn
Parish Administrator
Cameron Parish, LA
Deborah Randolph
President and CEO
Central Louisiana
Chamber of Commerce
George Swift
President and CEO
Chamber of Commerce
Southwest Louisiana
Scott Kirkpatrick
President
Coast Builders Coalition,
LA
Bailey Yelding
Mayor
City of Daphne, AL
Beth Kirkland
Executive Director
Economic Development
Council of
Tallahassee/Leon County,
FL
Rod West
Executive Vice President and
CAO
Entergy, LA
Ginny Russell
Vice President of Community
and Governmental Affairs for
Mobile Area Chamber of
Commerce
Envision Coastal Alabama
Grover Robinson
County Commissioner
Escambia County, FL
John Smith
Legislative Director
Florida Association of
Counties
and
Wakulla County, FL
Don Kirkman
President
Florida’s Great Northwest
Carol Dover
President and CEO
Florida Restaurant and
Lodging Association
Joseph Parrish
Commissioner
Franklin County Board of
Commissioners, FL
Joseph Jaworski
Mayor of Galveston, TX
Jerry Mohn
President
West Galveston Island
Property Owners
Association, TX
David J. Camardelle
Mayor
Town of Grand Isle, LA
Warren Yeager
Commissioner
Gulf County, FL
Robert Craft
Mayor
City of Gulf Shores, AL
Anthony Kaiser
Chairman
Gulf United Metro
Business Organization
(GUMBO), AL
Kim Savant
President
Harrison County Board of
Supervisors, MS
Drake Pothier
President and CEO
Houma/Terrebonne
Chamber of Commerce, LA
Micah Hirschfield
Vice President,
Communications
Greater Houston
Partnership, TX
Errol Romero
Parish President
Iberia Parish, LA
Jackson County Board of
Supervisors, MS
Timothy P. Kerner
Mayor
Town of Jean Lafitte, LA
Todd Murphy
President and CEO
Jefferson Chamber of
Commerce, LA
Julie Conley
Executive Director
Jefferson County
Economic Development
Council, FL
John F. Young, Jr.
Parish President
Jefferson Parish, LA
Jefferson Parish Economic
Development Commission,
LA
City of Key Colony Beach,
FL
Rob Guidry
President and CEO
Greater Lafayette Chamber
of Commerce, LA
Charlotte Randolph
Parish President
Lafourche Parish, LA
Lin Kiger
President and CEO
Lafourche Parish Chamber
of Commerce, LA
Randy Roach
Mayor
City of Lake Charles, LA
Daniel L. Juneau
President and CEO
Louisiana Association of
Business & Industry
Stan Harris
President and CEO
Louisiana Restaurant
Association
Ewell Smith
Executive Director
Louisiana Seafood
Promotion and Marketing
Board
Carole Stevens
Executive Director
Lower Keys Chamber of
Commerce, FL
Neil Spirtas
Vice President, Public Policy &
Small Business
Manatee Chamber of
Commerce, FL
Edward V. Ciampi
Chairman
Martin County Board of
Commissioners, FL
Jack Norris
President
Mississippi Gulf Coast
Business Council
Kimberly Nastasi
CEO
Mississippi Gulf Coast
Chamber of Commerce
Mike Cashion
Executive Director
Mississippi Hospitality and
Restaurant Association
Samuel L. Jones
Mayor
City of Mobile, AL
Winthrop M. Hallett, III
President
Mobile Area Chamber of
Commerce, AL
Connie Hudson
Commission President
Mobile County, AL
Timothy Matte
Mayor
City of Morgan City, LA
Mitch Landrieu
Mayor
and
Charles Allen
Director of Coastal and
Environmental Affairs
City of New Orleans, LA
Ben Johnson
President and CEO
New Orleans Chamber of
Commerce, LA
Savanna Engen
Coordinator, Industry Relations
and Government Affairs
New Orleans Convention &
Visitors Bureau, LA
Michael Hecht
President and CEO
Greater New Orleans, Inc.,
LA
Jeffrey Hendry
Executive Director
Northwest Florida
League of Cities
and
Suwanee River League of
Cities, FL
Joel Chaisson
Executive Director
Port of South Louisiana
Don Amunds
Chairman
Okaloosa County Board of
County Commissioners, FL
Chassity McComack
Executive Director
River Region Chamber of
Commerce, LA
Tony Kennon
Mayor
City of Orange Beach, AL
Jerry Graves
CAO
St. Bernard Parish, LA
Beth Oltman
President and CEO
Panama City Beach
Chamber of Commerce, FL
Stephen Reuther
CEO
St. Bernard Parish
Chamber of Commerce, LA
Dan Rowe
Executive Director
Panama City Beach
Convention & Visitors
Bureau, FL
and
Bay County Tourist
Development Council, FL
Tommy Faucheux
Chairman
St. Charles Parish
Economic Development
Council, LA
Jim Hizer
President and CEO
Greater Pensacola
Chamber of Commerce, FL
Patsy Parker
Mayor
Town of Perdido Beach, AL
Robert L. Thomas
Executive Director
Plaquemines Association
of Business and Industry,
LA
Billy Nungesser
Parish President
Plaquemines Parish, LA
Simone Maloz
Executive Director
Restore or Retreat, LA
Timmy Roussel
Parish President
St. James Parish, LA
Natalie Robottom
Parish President
St. John the Baptist Parish,
LA
Paul P. Naquin
Parish President
St. Mary Parish, LA
Chris Steinocher
President and CEO
St. Petersburg Area
Chamber of Commerce, FL
Dawn Sharpe-Brackett
President and CEO
St. Tammany East
Chamber of Commerce, LA
Brenda Reine Bertus
Executive Director
St. Tammany Economic
Development Foundation,
LA
Pat Brister
Parish President
St. Tammany Parish, LA
Lacey Toledano
President and CEO
St. Tammany West
Chamber of Commerce, LA
Santa Rosa County, FL
Richard H. Bremer
President and CEO
Greater Shreveport
Chamber of Commerce, LA
Glenn Manning
Chairman
South Baldwin Chamber of
Commerce, AL
Kirk Meche
President
South Central Industrial
Association, LA
Vic Lafont
Executive Director
South Louisiana Economic
Council
Robert N. Pinkerton, Jr.
Mayor
City of South Padre Island,
TX
Timothy P. Doody
President
The Southeast Louisiana
Flood Protection
Authority-East
Roger Ogden
Chairman
Southeast Super-Region
Committee, LA
Scarlett Phaneuf
Executive Director
Walton County Economic
Development Alliance, FL
George Swift
President and CEO
Southwest Louisiana
Economic Development
Alliance
Dawn Moliterno
Executive Director
Walton County Tourist
Development Council, FL
Gordon A. Burgess
Parish President
Tangipahoa Parish, LA
Michel Claudet
Parish President
Terrebonne Parish
Consolidated Government,
LA
Texas Restaurant
Association
Kathy Benoit
President and CEO
Thibodaux Chamber of
Commerce, LA
The Honorable Walt Johnson
Vice Mayor
City of Titusville, FL
U.S. Chamber of
Commerce
John Holic
Mayor
City of Venice, FL
Anne Milling
Founder
Women of the Storm
Gerry A. Demers
Assistant County Administrator
Walton County Board of
County Commissioners, FL
John I. Shaddinger, Jr.
Mayor
City of Westwego, LA