WASHINGTON, D.C., Feb. 16, 2007 – Congressman Chaka Fattah (D-PA) today issued the following statement on delays in the transfer and sale of operating control of the Philadelphia port to an American-owned company:

“I am extremely disappointed that demands issued by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey are holding up the sale and transfer of operating control of the Port of Philadelphia to American-owned AIG. The transfer of these operations at our nation’s largest and most vital ports by Dubai Ports World has been long-awaited and long-delayed. It is important to our nation’s security and to the smooth operation of Philadelphia and other ports that the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey cease to impede settlement of this matter.”