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Rep. Kaptur Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Rename the Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation

September 24, 2019

Washington, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09), released the following statement after she introduced legislation to rename the Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation as the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation. The purpose of the legislation is to celebrate the Seaway's central role in promoting commerce, economic development, and national security not only in the Great Lakes region but across the entire United States.


"Today, our nation celebrates the 60th Anniversary of the opening of the Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation. On this anniversary, I am introducing legislation to add ‘Great Lakes' to the name of the Seaway," said Rep. Kaptur. "This new name, the Great Lakes Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation, will now reflect the Seaway's enormous role for connecting commerce, promoting economic development, and protecting national security across the nation."

"In 1959, Great Britain's Queen Elizabeth II and U.S. President Eisenhower presided over festivities that marked the opening of the modern Great Lakes Saint Lawrence Seaway. Sixty years later, the role of the seaway is just as crucial. A 2018 analysis by the Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation found that commercial navigation that transits the St. Lawrence River and Lake Ontario sustains 92,661 jobs in the US, Canada, and supports almost $13 billion in economic activity. It is imperative that the United States continues to support the mission of the Seaway and ensure that it receives the recognition it deserves."

Bill text for the legislation can be found here