WHEREAS, Maersk and Sea-Land, which compose the largest container
operator in the United States, have indicated they would handle volumes reaching as
many as 550,000 containers annually, with some 10 ship calls weekly at their
Northeast load center; and

WHEREAS, The Port of Baltimore has excellent cargo facilities for
containerized cargo, cargo and a 50 foot channel, channel; and a long term strategic
dredging plan that assures Maersk/Sea Land that the port can accommodate
deep draft ships

WHEREAS, A long-term strategic dredging plan has been proposed that would
assure Maersk/Sea-Land that the port can accommodate deep-draft ships; and

WHEREAS, The Port of Baltimore is situated in the fourth largest consumer
market in the nation and is well positioned to accommodate large volumes of cargo
locally and to the Midwest, Philadelphia, Washington, and New York markets; and

WHEREAS, Baltimore offers excellent intermodal, highway, and rail
connections, including the benefits of two Class I railroads, CSX and Norfolk
Southern, that can offer a greater range of service to more locations; and

WHEREAS, The State of Maryland has made- substantial investments in the
Port of Baltimore by maintaining its shipping channels and developing
state-of-the-art facilities; and

WHEREAS, The Port of Baltimore, labor organizations, the Maryland Bay
Pilots, and the Port Community have all worked together to bring Maersk/Sea-Land
to the Port of Baltimore; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, That the
General Assembly supports the Port of Baltimore's initiative, to grow cargo by
aggressively participating in the effort to secure Maersk/Sea-Land business; and be it
further

RESOLVED, That to the extent possible, sufficient funding be allocated to the
Port of Baltimore in order to make the necessary physical improvements to
accommodate the substantial increase in business generated by Maersk/Sea—Land;
and be it further  

RESOLVED, That Governor Parris Glendening and the Maryland Department
of Transportation, the Port of Baltimore, and the Department of Business and
Economic Development have the full support of the General Assembly in their
negotiations with Maersk/Sea-Land in order to grow the Port of Baltimore and
Maryland's economic vitality; 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; and be it
further