WCI To Honor Inhofe

U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) will receive Waterways Council Inc.’s 19th Annual Leadership Service Award on Thursday, February 13, on Capitol Hill.

Inhofe is chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and a senior member of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works (EPW).  He is a committed supporter of infrastructure and the inland waterways and, according to his biography, believes “one of the inherent roles of government is to provide for a safe and suitable infrastructure to allow our nation access to transportation and fully connect our national economy. In addition to providing for the national defense, he believes the single greatest service we can provide our citizens is the necessary infrastructure to enable the United States to remain the economic engine that drives the world’s economy.” 

“Waterways Council is honored to have the opportunity to recognize Senator Inhofe for his leadership and commitment to America’s inland waterways and its lock and dam infrastructure,” said Michael Toohey, president and CEO of Waterways Council Inc.  “WCI’s Leadership Service Award has long lauded America’s inland waterways and port champions, and Senator Inhofe is so deserving of our recognition this year,” he continued.

Inhofe chaired the EPW Committee from 2003 to 2007, and again from 2015 to 2017. He served as the committee’s ranking member from 2007 to 2013. Under his leadership, Congress enacted the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act in 2016, establishing the precedent for Congress to consider WRDA bills every two years.

Prior to serving the people of Oklahoma in the U.S. Senate, Senator Inhofe served in the U.S. House of Representatives, as mayor of Tulsa, and in the Oklahoma State Senate and House of Representatives.