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Regular Session, 2011
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 57
BY SENATOR MILLS
COMMENDATIONS. Commends Maritime International for receiving the 2011 Lantern
Award.
A RESOLUTION1
To commend Maritime International, Inc., for receiving the 2011 Lantern Award.2
WHEREAS, the Lantern Awards recognize one outstanding manufacturer from each3
of the eight Regional Planning and Development Districts in Louisiana; and4
WHEREAS, the Lantern Awards are a partnership among Louisiana Economic5
Development, Louisiana Industrial Development Executives Association, and Louisiana6
Quality Foundation; and7
WHEREAS, the Lantern Award winners are selected based on their excellence in8
manufacturing and community involvement during the three years prior to their being9
nominated for the award; and10
WHEREAS, in 1995 three young men, David LeBlanc, John Deats, and Donald11
Nassar, formed a company on a shoestring called the Maritime Group, working from their12
homes in Lafayette; and13
WHEREAS, after a year of effort they sold their first big project to provide some of14
the largest cranes in the offshore industry to Petrobras, the national oil company of Brazil,15
only to see the deal cancelled during submittal stage; and16
WHEREAS, after months of perseverance and diligence, the young men managed17
to salvage a cancellation fee and a commission from the cancelled deal; and18 SR NO. 57
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WHEREAS, over the next years, the men searched out project after project, selling1
degreasing chemicals, earthmover tires, subsea pipeline connectors, engineering services,2
even business cards and brochures and photography services to take pictures of offshore3
platforms; and4
WHEREAS, the men's motto from the early days of the company was "Make it5
happen. Sell something TODAY!!"; and6
WHEREAS, from such hard work and determination they eventually began selling7
fenders which has led them to have offices all over the world, Belgium, France, England,8
China, the United Arab Emirates, and Houston, with one hundred twenty-eight people9
working to promote, design, sell, engineer, manufacture, test, transport, and support the most10
comprehensive fendering and bollard product lines in the world; and11
WHEREAS, Maritime International also provides diversified products, from12
environmental boom guides to fenders that protect the U.S. Navy's largest submarines, to13
drilling mud vacuums and offshore anchor systems; and14
WHEREAS, Maritime International grew from a kitchen table office to a company15
known internationally in the marine construction, steel fabrication, and Naval berthing16
industries; and17
WHEREAS, Maritime International's growth of seventy-one percent over the last18
three years resulted in it being ranked by Inc. Magazine's publication of the fastest growing19
companies in America, The Inc. 5000; and20
WHEREAS, Lantern Awards are an opportunity to recognize Louisiana's leading21
manufacturing companies and commend them for their contributions to the state's economy;22
and23
WHEREAS, the state has recognized more than two hundred forty selected24
manufacturers since 1979.25
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana26
does hereby commend Maritime International, Inc., for receiving the 2011 Lantern Award.27
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to28
Maritime International, Inc.29 SR NO. 57
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The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Linda Nugent.
DIGEST
Mills SR No.
Commends Maritime International for receiving the 2011 Lantern Award.