2011 Congressional Reception and Confluence Awards Bring
Boating Safety to Capitol Hill
Individual Boating Safety Efforts Receive Special Recognition
Washington, DC (May 25, 2011) – The tenth annual Congressional Reception, hosted by the National Safe Boating Council (NSBC) and National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA), was held on May 17, 2011 on Capitol Hill. The reception is held each year to officially present the Boating Safety Confluence Awards. The Confluence Awards are given to members of Congress or other government officials who have aided in the bringing together of people, resources, and vision toward the betterment of safer boating. These individuals, through their positions of prestige and responsibility, have fought for important steps towards funding, laws, legislation, programs, and regulations for boating safety. This year, the award was given to Rear Admiral Kevin Cook, Director of Prevention Policy, United States Coast Guard, in recognition of his efforts.
Throughout his career, Rear Admiral Cook has held a variety of field positions supporting the Marine Safety, Security, and Environmental Protection mission areas. Rear Admiral Cook has been a champion of the reauthorization of the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund. He has continued to foster the relationship between the United States Coast Guard and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, a relationship critical to ensuring both agencies have the resources so that the funds appropriated fulfill their missions. His support of the Trust Fund enhances the U.S. Coast Guard’s ability to prevent deaths and injuries of recreational boaters.
Rear Admiral Cook’s other successes reach a range of boating safety issues and endeavors. He has been an ardent supporter of the United States Coast Guard Strategic Plan of the National Recreational Boating Safety Program. Rear Admiral Cook coordinated with the Environmental Protection Agency, the National Marine Manufacturer’s Association, and the American Boat & Yacht Council to achieve the successful development of a recreational boat fuel system.
Rear Admiral Cook is currently assigned as the Director of Prevention Policy where his responsibilities span many of Coast Guard’s Marine Safety, Security and Stewardship missions affecting waterways management, domestic and international shipping, recreational and fishing boats, and port facilities.
For past winners of the Confluence Awards and more information about the National Safe Boating Council, please visit www.SafeBoatingCouncil.org.
About the National Safe Boating Council
The National Safe Boating Council is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that is the foremost coalition for the advancement and promotion of safer boating through education, outreach, and training. The NSBC is comprised of over 330 national, regional, and local boating and water safety agencies, organizations and corporations that are all committed to boating safety.