This article has been updated to include all UMWA participants in the Capitol fly-in.

Jeremy Putman, chairman of the Upper Mississippi Waterway Association (UMWA), along with UMWA members Kristin Meira of American Cruise Lines and Anshu Singh of Corn Belt Ports, attended the Waterways Council, Inc. (WCI) Capitol Hill Fly-In Feb. 4-6 in Washington D.C. 

As members of WCI, Putman, President of Riverview Boat Store and Tug Service, and Meira attended and followed the packed agenda that had a WCI board meeting, meetings with legislators, receptions and more. 

WCI is a coalition that advocates for river transportation and infrastructure and a partner organization with UMWA, often sharing updates at member meetings.  

“Our main focus was to thank legislators for voting in favor of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA), let them know we need continued support for infrastructure and that we want to make sure that no toll fees are ever imposed on the lock and dam system,” Putman said. 

WCI posted that maintaining the water resources bills on a biennial basis is important to the continuation of modernizing the lock and dam infrastructure – a vital part of America’s supply chain, the envy of the world, but infrastructure that needs maintenance and recapitalization to ensure the future of America’s inland waterway transportation network. 

“The highlight of my trip was meeting with Sen. Joni Ernst, Rep. Ashley and Sen. Chuck Grassley who was a lifelong dream to meet and shake his hand,” Putman said.   

The inland waterways sustain more than a half-million jobs, support exports and protect the environment.  

“River advocacy is important for our industry and my family of businesses to be successful long-term,” Putman said. “We need the U.S. government to keep the infrastructure in place through policies like WRDA.” 

Gary Williams, UMWA executive director, reported that WCI’s influence in Washington, D.C., helps UMWA improve upon its own local and regional legislative focus to reinforce the importance when local and state entities appeal for federal assistance.  

WCI’s continual strong presence in the nation’s capital through events like this allows UMWA to share in the voice at the U.S. Capitol when members of both organizations are present. UMWA and WCI share similar goals that focus on the importance of the Upper Mississippi River. 

“WCI does a tremendous job in Washington D.C., talking and lobbying for our inland rivers,” Williams said. “Having UMWA members Putman and Meira attending gives a perspective from those on the Upper Mississippi that reinforces in Washington D.C., the importance our section of the river has and the importance of maintaining it. These organizations that overlap in their work help assure our message reaches more ears and minds, particularly those who will influence policy and funding to maintain these critical marine highways.”