(f) The Study Commission shall terminate its existence after December 31,
1999; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be forwarded by the Department of
Legislative Services to the Honorable Parris N. Glendening, Governor of Maryland;
the Honorable Thomas V. Mike Miller, Jr., President of the Senate of Maryland; and
the Honorable Casper R. Taylor, Jr., Speaker of the House of Delegates.

Signed May 27, 1999.

Joint Resolution No. 4
(Senate Joint Resolution No. 6)

A Senate Joint Resolution concerning

Support for the Maersk/Sea-Land Proposal Serving the Port of Baltimore

FOR the purpose of expressing the General Assembly's support for the Maryland Port
Administration, and its participation in the Maersk/Sea-Land proposal which
will aggressively grow the Port and enhance Maryland's economic vitality.

WHEREAS, The Port of Baltimore impacts the daily lives of hundreds of
thousands of citizens in Maryland and beyond; and

WHEREAS, The shipping industry is a major contributor to the economic health
of the State of Maryland and the nation, generating substantially in excess of $1.3
billion each year to Maryland's economy; employing 45,000 Marylanders, including
18,000 directly in port jobs; contributing $141 million in State and local taxes
annually, and $400 million in United States Customs receipts; and

WHEREAS, With the maritime industry undergoing revolutionary operational
changes, the port industry has become extremely competitive, with all ports striving
to attract and retain shipping lines, cargo shippers, and other opportunities related to
the movement of cargo; and

WHEREAS, Since 1683, maritime activities on the Patapsco River have been
the source of economic benefits for this region and led directly to the founding of
Baltimore Town, a major economic engine of the State of Maryland, for nearly three
centuries; and

WHEREAS, Today a wide variety of Maryland industries depend on the Port
and its continued success to move cargo safely and efficiently through its terminals;
and

WHEREAS, The Port of Baltimore is under consideration as the United States
Northeast load center for the global containership partnership of Maersk Inc. and
Sea-Land Services, Inc., two ocean carriers which operate jointly through a vessel
sharing agreement; and