The American Shipbuilding Association (ASA) announced on June 21, 2004 that Congressman Duncan Hunter (R-CA) would be the 2004 recipient of the Herbert H. Bateman Award. This award will be presented on Wednesday, June 23rd at 6:00 pm during ASA’s Salute to the 108th Congress reception in the Foyer of the Rayburn House Office Building. “Duncan Hunter, throughout his nearly 24 years on the Armed Services Committee, has been a tireless advocate of a stronger defense shipbuilding industrial base. He has consistently worked for larger defense procurement budgets to fund the required number of naval ships,” said Cynthia Brown, President of the American Shipbuilding Association.
“His long and impressive record in support of a larger naval fleet and supporting manufacturing industry has made him a deserving recipient of the Herbert H. Bateman Award,” she said. The Herbert H. Bateman Award was established by the American Shipbuilding Association in 2000. This Award is the shipbuilding industry’s highest recognition of an individual in the Executive Branch, Legislative Branch, or industry who has demonstrated years of consistent, outstanding, and inspirational leadership in fighting for a stronger shipbuilding industry. Congressman Herb Bateman of Virginia, the award’s namesake, demonstrated these qualities throughout his tenure in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1981 – 2000. Previous recipients of the Herbert H. Bateman award are: Herbert H. Bateman (R-VA); Olympia Snowe (RME); Gene Taylor (D-MS); and Ted Stevens (R-AK).