Commemorating the 80th Anniversary of the Georgia Ports Authority.
- Bill Number
- H.Res. 437
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Transportation and Public Works
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-05-22: Referred to the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation.
- Last Updated
- 2026-04-03T10:55:27Z
AI-Generated Summary
Summary of H. Res. 437: Commemorating the 80th Anniversary of the Georgia Ports Authority
Purpose
This House Resolution aims to formally recognize and celebrate the 80th anniversary of the Georgia Ports Authority (GPA), highlighting its role as a key economic driver for Georgia and the United States by facilitating global trade and commerce.
Key Provisions
The resolution consists of several "Whereas" clauses that outline the GPA's history and contributions, followed by a "Resolved" section:
- Historical and Economic Background: Established in 1945, the GPA operates major ports in Savannah and Brunswick, supporting over 609,000 jobs, generating $40 billion in annual income, $171 billion in business revenue, and $5.3 billion in state and local taxes.
- Growth and Efficiency: Container traffic has increased 784% since 1995; in 2024, Savannah handled about 5.6 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs, a standard measure for shipping containers). It features efficient rail (42 weekly double-stack trains with 22-hour average dwell time) and truck operations (14,000–16,000 daily moves, some as quick as 35 minutes).
- Investments and Future Plans: The GPA has invested $3.2 billion in the past decade, with $4.5 billion planned over the next 10 years. By 2030, expansions include doubling Savannah's ship berths, deepening the harbor, raising the Talmadge Bridge, converting the Ocean Terminal to a container port by 2028, and upgrading Brunswick's facilities for vehicles and roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) vessels.
- Community and Workforce Support: Commitments include $6 million for housing near ports and the YES+ program, which trains high school graduates for maritime careers (now in its seventh year).
- Strategic Importance: Emphasizes Georgia's location advantages, including fast rail to southeast manufacturing hubs and efficient routes to Asia and India.
- Resolution Actions: The House of Representatives (1) recognizes the GPA's 80 years of economic strengthening and global connectivity for Georgia, and (2) commemorates the anniversary.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This is a non-binding resolution with no legal force or amendments to existing laws. It does not alter statutes, regulations, or policies; it serves solely as a ceremonial acknowledgment.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: May indirectly support federal recognition of port infrastructure needs, potentially aiding future funding requests, but has no direct operational effects.
- Citizens: Boosts public awareness of the GPA's economic benefits, such as job creation and community programs, fostering local pride and support for port-related initiatives.
- International Relations: Highlights U.S. port efficiency to global trade partners, potentially enhancing Georgia's reputation as a trade gateway, though impacts are symbolic rather than substantive.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Georgia Ports Authority: Primary beneficiary, receiving formal congressional praise that could elevate its profile for investments and partnerships.
- Workers and Businesses: Over 609,000 jobs in Georgia, including port employees, logistics firms, manufacturers, and truckers/rail operators reliant on efficient port services.
- Communities Near Ports: Residents in Savannah and Brunswick areas, impacted by expansions, housing support, and economic growth.
- State and Local Governments: Benefit from highlighted tax revenues and infrastructure plans that could influence state funding priorities.
- Global Trade Partners: Shipping companies, international exporters/importers (e.g., from Asia and India), who use the ports for commerce.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal/Constitutional: As a simple House Resolution, it requires no presidential approval and holds no binding authority under the U.S. Constitution (Article I, Section 5 allows each chamber to adopt resolutions for internal or ceremonial purposes). It poses no constitutional challenges.
- Political: Represents bipartisan support for regional economic infrastructure (introduced by Rep. Carter of Georgia and referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure). It underscores the political importance of ports in national trade policy, potentially influencing future legislation on supply chains or infrastructure funding, without controversy or bias.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Carter, Earl L. "Buddy" [R-GA-1]
Recent Actions
- 2025-05-22: Referred to the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation.
- 2025-05-21: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
- 2025-05-21: Submitted in House
- 2025-05-21: Submitted in House
Bill Versions
- Commemorating the 80th Anniversary of the Georgia Ports Authority. — issued 2025-05-21 — PDF (3 pages)