Senator Richard Burr to Co-Chair Senate Boating Caucus

WASHINGTON, D.C., February 7, 2008 – North Carolina Senator Richard Burr, a former businessman and pro-growth champion on Capitol Hill, has agreed to become the new Co-Chairman of the Senate Boating Caucus. Senator Burr replaces former Senator Trent Lott (R-Miss.), who recently retired from the U.S. Senate, and will serve as co-chairman alongside Senator Herb Kohl (D-Wisc.).      

Senator Burr was elected to the United States Senate in 2004 following a decade of public service in the House of Representatives, where he represented the people of the 5th Congressional District of North Carolina. A strong and proven advocate of job growth and pro-manufacturing policies as well as environmental stewardship and outdoorism, Senator Burr serves on a number of key Senate Committees, including: the Energy and Natural Resources Committee; Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee; and the Veteran’s Affairs Committee, where he is the Ranking Member.

“I love the outdoors, so I’m pleased to be a Co-Chair of the Senate Boating Caucus,” Burr said. “Like all North Carolinians , I know that boating is a great way to enjoy our State and we share that with many families across our country. The boating industry is an important part of North Carolina ’s economy that is continually growing,” Burr added.

North Carolina is home to more than 60 boat manufacturers that generate more than 7,300 jobs statewide. With more than $649 million in new retail sales and services in the powerboat, motor, trailer, and marine accessories market in 2006, North Carolina is the fourth biggest marine market in the U.S.   There are currently more than 370,000 registered recreational boats in North Carolina .

“The National Marine Manufacturers Association applauds Senator Burr for taking on the responsibility of co-chairing the Senate Boating Caucus and thanks him for his strong representation of the recreational marine industry and boating community in North Carolina ,” said Scott B. Gudes , NMMA vice president of Government Relations. “We look forward to working with him to promote pro-boating policies on Capitol Hill.”   

Initiated by NMMA Government Relations in 1989, the Congressional Boating Caucus is an informal, bipartisan group of U.S. Senators and Representatives concerned with issues affecting the recreational marine industry. The Caucus seeks to improve the economic viability of the industry and support the protection of the environment, boating safety and the creation of international trade opportunities for the industry.

The National Marine Manufactures Association (NMMA) is the nation’s largest recreational marine industry association, representing approximately 1,700 boatbuilders, engine manufacturers, and marine accessory manufacturers. NMMA members collectively produce more than 80 percent of all recreational marine products made in the United States . Recreational boating is a popular American pastime, with 73 million boaters nationwide and more than 13 million registered boats. The recreational boating industry is a substantial contributor to the nation’s economy with expenditures on recreational marine products and services of approximately $39.5 billion in 2006 alone. Please visit our website at NMMA.org .