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for all Americans. The most pressing issue right now is pushing for legislative activity this year that addresses maritime infrastructure and enacts a comprehensive set of policy changes needed to speed up the recapitalization of our waterways. Regarding pressing issues for Kirby and the industry in general, in terms of public policy issues, I think the issues we are most likely to be able to impact are the infrastructure issues discussed above and some of the regulatory issues that AWO is working very hard on. Ultimately, what is most important for all of our companies is a strong economy that creates demand for our services. The best waterways in the world will do us no good if there is no cargo to move. Of course, reliable, efÞ cient waterways promote a strong economy, so I think that by focusing on the issues where we have expertise and can make an impact, like infrastructure and a reasonable regulatory environment, we can do our part, while at the same time recognizing that all Americans and American businesses need to promote a legislative and regulatory environment that will create a vibrant economy. Update our readers on what is happening legislatively on WAVE 4 in the House and, if anything, in the U.S. Senate? Describe your lobbying efforts to jumpstart that effort. WAVE 4 continues to pick up support in the House of Representatives. We are now up to 27 bipartisan co- sponsors. We continue our efforts to educate members and build support for the Capital Development Plan as set out in WAVE 4. On the Senate side, we are encouraged that a number of Senators are personally engaged in efforts to deal with project delivery and funding issues that impact our coastal and inland ports and waterways. While we have yet to see legislation, my view is that we are approaching critical mass on the Senate side and we may well see some action, even before the end of this Congress. Today, I am more hopeful of action than I have been in some time. What are the prospects for a Water Resources Devel- opment Act to pass in 2012? And, what are the main sticking points to prevent that from happening? As hopeful as I am, I recognize it is a challenge to get any legislation passed before the end of this year and that is because there is so little time, in terms of legislative days, available to move legislation. Congress has adjourned until after the election. What happens in the Òlame duckÓ session after the election will be determined in part by the election results. I wish I knew what those will be. You can build a scenario where a lot gets done in the lame duck session and you can build an alternate scenario where virtually nothing happens. I think an increasing number of our leaders in the Congress recognize the urgent need to deal with water issues, so if we have an active lame duck session, I think we could see action on some of our issues, whether in a WRDA bill or some other legislative vehicle. Brieß y describe why WRDA is so important your membership?WRDA is the traditional platform for authorizing waterway projects and setting related policy. In many years, we need a WRDA to pass so that important projects can be authorized for construction funding. At this point, our problem is not the need to authorize projects, it is the need to get projects built that were authorized in prior WRDAs. To get those projects built will require changes in the way we go about executing and funding these projects. That is what the Capital Development Plan and WAVE 4 are all about. The natural vehicle to move forward these concepts is a WRDA bill, so for that reason, we have called on our Congressional leaders to take up a WRDA bill. That being said, where it gets done is not as important as getting it done, so I donÕt care whether it is a WRDA bill, a stand- alone bill like WAVE 4 or any other bill. We just need Congress to get it done. To get those projects (authorized in prior WRDAs) built will require changes in the way we go about executing and funding these proj-ects. That is what the Capital Development Plan and WAVE 4 are all about. The natural vehicle to move forward these concepts is a WRDA bill, so for that reason, we have called on our Congressional leaders to take up a WRDA bill. We just need Congress to get it done. INLAND WATERWAY REPORT October 201246 MNMNOct2012 Layout 32-49.indd 46MNOct2012 Layout 32-49.indd 4610/2/2012 10:08:33 AM10/2/2012 10:08:33 AM