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Regular Session, 2011 ENROLLED
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 57
BY SENATOR MILLS
A RESOLUTION
To commend Maritime International, Inc., for receiving the 2011 Lantern Award.
WHEREAS, the Lantern Awards recognize one outstanding manufacturer from each
of the eight Regional Planning and Development Districts in Louisiana; and
WHEREAS, the Lantern Awards are a partnership among Louisiana Economic
Development, Louisiana Industrial Development Executives Association, and Louisiana
Quality Foundation; and
WHEREAS, the Lantern Award winners are selected based on their excellence in
manufacturing and community involvement during the three years prior to their being
nominated for the award; and
WHEREAS, in 1995 three young men, David LeBlanc, John Deats, and Donald
Nassar, formed a company on a shoestring called the Maritime Group, working from their
homes in Lafayette; and
WHEREAS, after a year of effort they sold their first big project to provide some of
the largest cranes in the offshore industry to Petrobras, the national oil company of Brazil,
only to see the deal cancelled during submittal stage; and
WHEREAS, after months of perseverance and diligence, the young men managed
to salvage a cancellation fee and a commission from the cancelled deal; and
WHEREAS, over the next years, the men searched out project after project, selling
degreasing chemicals, earthmover tires, subsea pipeline connectors, engineering services,
even business cards and brochures and photography services to take pictures of offshore
platforms; and
WHEREAS, the men's motto from the early days of the company was "Make it
happen. Sell something TODAY!!"; and SR NO. 57 ENROLLED
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WHEREAS, from such hard work and determination they eventually began selling
fenders which has led them to have offices all over the world, Belgium, France, England,
China, the United Arab Emirates, and Houston, with one hundred twenty-eight people
working to promote, design, sell, engineer, manufacture, test, transport, and support the most
comprehensive fendering and bollard product lines in the world; and
WHEREAS, Maritime International also provides diversified products, from
environmental boom guides to fenders that protect the U.S. Navy's largest submarines, to
drilling mud vacuums and offshore anchor systems; and
WHEREAS, Maritime International grew from a kitchen table office to a company
known internationally in the marine construction, steel fabrication, and Naval berthing
industries; and
WHEREAS, Maritime International's growth of seventy-one percent over the last
three years resulted in it being ranked by Inc. Magazine's publication of the fastest growing
companies in America, The Inc. 5000; and
WHEREAS, Lantern Awards are an opportunity to recognize Louisiana's leading
manufacturing companies and commend them for their contributions to the state's economy;
and
WHEREAS, the state has recognized more than two hundred forty selected
manufacturers since 1979.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
does hereby commend Maritime International, Inc., for receiving the 2011 Lantern Award.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to
Maritime International, Inc.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE