Guest column: General Assembly’s Jones Act resolution supports maritime industry
George Leavell
George Leavell is co-owner and executive vice president with Memphis-based Wepfer Marine, which operates harbor and fleeting services in nine locations along the lower Mississippi, Ohio and Tennessee rivers. Wepfer also provides trip towing on the lower Ohio River, a full-service shipyard with dry-docks, barge-cleaning services, crane services, dock repair and a machine shop in Memphis, fueling services in Greenville and Memphis, and salvage operations on the inland waterways.
The Jones Act — the bedrock law of American maritime — supports more than 20,000 jobs and $4.5 billion in economic output in Tennessee.
Related stories
Guest column: Memphis finally has an opportunity to invest in public transit
“We ask every reader to call your city councilperson or county commissioner and let them know you support Memphis and Shelby County dedicating retiring PILOTs to building a viable and sustainable public transit system.”
Guest column: Lessons from Memphis can help with a crisis in democracy
“What can save our nation are movements which mobilize political action over the long haul — like the movements that have happened in Memphis.”
Guest column: The danger of learning to live with danger
To become desensitized to the dangers around us would be to lose sight of hope for healing.
Want to comment on our stories or respond to others? Join the conversation by subscribing now. Only paid subscribers can add their thoughts or upvote/downvote comments. Our commenting policy can be viewed here.