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[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E160]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
HONORING MASTER CAPTAIN WILLIAM WARD
______
HON. CHARLIE CRIST
of florida
in the house of representatives
Monday, February 10, 2020
Mr. CRIST. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Master
Captain William Ward, of Florida, who passed away December 13, 2019 at
the age of 57.
William was licensed by the U.S. Coast Guard as a Merchant Marine
Officer in 1991. He earned his bachelor's degree from the University of
South Florida-College of Business in Accounting in 1994, and attained
his Juris Doctor degree in 2013, from Barry University College of Law.
Mr. Ward was the President and C.E.O. of Captains Finest Seafood
from 1994 to 2009, served on the Gulf Fisherman's Association board of
directors since 2004, was the Vice President of Seafood Harvesters of
America, and a board member with the Gulf Coast Leadership Conference.
In addition, Mr. Ward was a member director of Fish for America, USA,
representing and educating the millions of seafood consumers in the
United States. His leadership and efforts earned him the title of
Florida Businessman of the Year in 2001 and in 2004 as the National
Business Council Chairman.
Mr. Ward advocated for sensible fisheries policy, including passage
of the Port State Measures Agreement, which helped curb unregulated,
unreported and illegal fishing. Additionally, Mr. Ward assisted in
drafting legislation, advocating on its behalf, and consulting with
state and federal governmental agencies in the development and
implementation of protectionary natural resource regulations and rules.
William also served as an expert consultant after the 2010 Deepwater
Horizon oil spill. He worked extensively on the passage of the Restore
Act which provided the primary source of funding for the economic and
ecological recovery of the Gulf States.
Mr. Ward represented the State of Florida as a two-time
Gubernatorial Appointee to the Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission
from 1999 to 2003. Further, William has served on numerous state and
federal natural resources advisory panels, as well as two NOAA federal
appointments serving on the advisory committees of the Gulf of Mexico
Fisheries Management Council.
Later in life, William worked as an attorney on several successfully
litigated state and federal court cases during his time as managing
partner of Ward Consulting Partners, LLC, and the William Ward Law
Group, PLLC. He also testified as an expert witness on marine fisheries
cases in federal court, one of which prevailed in the U.S. Supreme
Court.
During his career, William has consulted or worked with the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Washington D.C., NOAA,
Southeast Headquarters, NOAA, Southeast Fisheries Science Center, the
Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission, the Florida Fish and Wildlife
Research Institute, Florida Institute of Oceanography, University of
South Florida-College of Marine Science, University of Miami-Rosenstiel
School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Coast
Guard Regional Coast Guard Headquarters in New Orleans, Miami, St.
Petersburg, and Clearwater.
William Ward was well respected and cherished on Capitol Hill, among
his peers on the water, in the legal community and in the environmental
community. He was a great friend and compassionate advocate who worked
tirelessly to protect the people and waters he loved. Thanks to his
contributions and advocacy, our coastal environment and fisheries are
more sustainable than before.
____________________
