Larsen Statement on Port of Bellingham’s Appeal of NOAA Decision
For Immediate Release
Contact: Amanda Mahnke
(202) 225-2605
August 27, 2009
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) released the following statement today on the Port of Bellingham’s unanimous vote to appeal NOAA’s recent selection of Newport, Oregon for the Marine Operations Center-Pacific:
“I strongly supported Bellingham’s bid to become the new home for NOAA’s Marine Operations Center-Pacific. The Port, City, our education partners, marine trades industry and local leaders came together as a community to prepare an outstanding bid to bring NOAA to Bellingham.
“I support our community’s decision today to protest NOAA’s selection of Newport, Oregon. The GAO needs to take a second look to make sure that NOAA’s decision was the result of a fair, open, and transparent process.”
###
