Jones Act Supporters Salute Phil Grill For Leadership of Maritime Cabotage Task Force
Washington, D.C - Maritime Cabotage Task Force (MCTF) is thanking its retiring Chairman, Philip M. Grill, for his 14 years of leadership of the labor/management coalition that promotes the Jones Act and other U.S. maritime cabotage laws in Washington. Grill, who is retiring as Vice President - Government Relations for Matson Navigation Company, Inc., on July 31, has chaired MCTF since its founding in September 1995. Under his leadership, three Administrations and eight Congresses have consistently supported the Jones Act and a strong U.S.-flag merchant marine.
The Jones Act and other U.S. maritime cabotage laws were facing their most serious challenge ever when Phil agreed to be Chairman of MCTF upon its launch, said James L. Henry, President of the Transportation Institute, also a founding member of MCTF. A well-organized campaign of disinformation had some legislators favoring repealing the Jones Act and other U.S. maritime cabotage laws. Under Phil's leadership, the U.S.-flag domestic industry banded together like never before and the Jones Act has remained the unshakeable foundation of U.S. domestic maritime policy. I know I speak for every segment of the Jones Act industry when I thank Phil for his untiring efforts to keep our domestic fleet U.S.-owned, -built, and -crewed.
Grill in turn thanked his colleagues in the Jones Act industry for their support during his tenure as the MCTF Chairman. MCTF has become regarded as the best and broadest coalition of interests in Washington because of its members. But what is most important is what MCTF stands for - a strong U.S.-flag merchant marine that supports our economy and our national defense capabilities and is a world leader in efficiency and innovation. It has been a privilege to represent this industry.
Grill has long been recognized as an expert on maritime matters. Prior to joining Matson in 1980, he served for 5 years as Minority Staff Counsel to the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation. He has been Matson's Vice President - Government Relations, since 1986.
Maritime Cabotage Task Force was founded in 1995 to promote the U.S.-flag fleet engaged in domestic waterborne commerce. With more than 400 members, MCTF is the largest coalition ever assembled to represent the domestic segment of the U.S. Merchant Marine. Nationwide, there are more than 39,000 vessels engaged in Jones Act commerce and they annually move more than 1 billion tons of cargo and 100 million passengers. The Act has been broadly supported by every Congress and Administration since its passage in 1920 and is considered a key element in the nation's national defense capabilities.