At a special board meeting held today at the Port of Lake Charles, Commissioner Mark Abraham submitted the following statement to the district's board of commissioners:

"There has been a great deal of discussion in recent weeks relative to no minority representation on the Lake Charles Harbor and Terminal District, known as the Port Board. I believe it's important to qualify and resolve this issue.

It should be made clear that the Port does not and has never had anything to do with appointing members to the Board. Enabling legislation clearly and legally states that this responsibility lies in the hands of the Legislature and Governor. That being said, the current Port Board through no fault of its own may possibly be in violation of its enabling legislation. It is therefore vitally important that we maintain the legal status of the Board in order that it may continue its role as the economic development engine of Southwest Louisiana.

I've lived here virtually all of my life and have had the pleasure of serving on this Board for almost 7 ½ years. I have always believed that individuals should give back to the community in which they live and am very proud of the accomplishments we've been able to achieve. I am equally proud of the team effort displayed by all board members to reach the current, well documented economic turnaround of the Port.

There is no question that our Port of Lake Charles is truly an important economic development entity for all of Southwest Louisiana as well as the rest of the state. It is equally important to the rest of the nation because it serves as a strategic energy corridor.

As I mentioned earlier, it is absolutely imperative that this economic development entity remain on solid legal footing in all the decisions it makes now and for the future. We are blessed with a Port Board that is diligent in their efforts to create jobs and aware of their fiduciary responsibility to the public. We are fortunate to have a staff that is very qualified and hard working. I have enjoyed serving with my fellow board members, and I want to thank them as well as the staff for their dedication to this community and all of Southwest Louisiana.

I always try to evaluate my actions and ask myself if I'm doing the best possible job I can...whether it concerns my business or volunteering for community service. While I still have 8 months remaining on my appointment to the Port Board, I believe I can best serve our community and all of Southwest Louisiana by resigning from the Board effective immediately. I am doing this so that a minority representative can be immediately appointed to the position of commissioner by the Governor as my replacement. This action will remove any question of the Port Board's proper legal status.

Again...it has been a distinct pleasure serving on the Board and I stand ready to help in any way I can in the future.”

Wade Shaddock, President of the Lake Charles Harbor and Terminal District commended Mr. Abraham for his outstanding years of services as a Board member and to his contribution to the Board's decision making process on issues and business opportunities that have come before the Board during the past seven and one half years.

"Mark Abraham has been on the board for almost eight years and I have had the pleasure of working with Mark during that time. Mark has always been supportive of the Port staff and has always had the Port's future success in the forefront of his actions while serving on the Board”, said Bill Rase, Port Director. Rase went on to say "On behalf of the Port staff I would like to wish Mark great success in his future endeavors.”