This morning, Congresswoman Janice Hahn joined Department of Commerce Secretary John Bryson and White House Senior Advisor Valerie Jarrett at the White House to honor Los Angeles businesses with the President's "E" award, which recognizes companies and organizations who contribute significantly in the effort to increase U.S. exports. Those recognized this morning included ACX Pacific Northwest (Wilmington), Pelican Products, Inc. (Torrance), American Trading International (Los Angeles), Falcon Waterfree Technologies (Los Angeles) and the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce.
"I agree with Secretary Bryson that we must build it here and export it everywhere," said Rep. Hahn. "Americans grow and manufacture the best products in the world. The companies of Southern California, working hand in hand with the Port of Los Angeles, are leading the way. By manufacturing and exporting more, we will create jobs and put our economy back on firm footing."
Congresswoman Hahn has been leading efforts in Congress to spur job growth through increasing exports and small business growth. As the founder and co-chair of the bipartisan PORTS Caucus, she wrote a letter, signed by a number of her Congressional colleagues, to House conferees working on transportation legislation urging them to consider the development of a national freight policy.
"A coherent national freight policy is essential to exporters and the future of our economy," explained Rep. Hahn. "Small and large business rely on our interconnected network of roads, rail and bridges to get their products to our ports and from our ports to customers. Ready or not, Congress must act on this issue."
On Wednesday, Congresswoman Hahn asked Ambassador Miriam Sapiro, Deputy United States Trade Representative, about the importance of a national freight policy and how we can better connect businesses with resources on exporting their products at the Small Business Committee hearing entitled "U.S. Trade Strategy: What's Next for Small Business Exporters."