Worked with U.S. Congress to secure reauthorization of the federal Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund through 2009. This legislation provides:

Legislation provides:

* Funding through 2009 for boating safety and boating facilities using boaters’ federal gasoline tax revenues
* $115 million annually to boating safety
* $12.5 million annually to Clean Vessel Act program for pump-out facilities among states
* $12.5 million for Boating Infrastructure Grants (BIG) to build facilities for transient boaters
* $2 million to U.S. Coast Guard to reinstate boat factory inspections for compliance with safety and construction standards
* $52 million annually to states for boating access facilities such as launching ramps

Convinced Congress to retain the interest deduction for boat loans. That's an annual savings of $1,700 to a boat owner with a $40,000 loan.

Lobbied successfully for passage of the Civil Asset Forfeiture Reform Act of 2000 which gives additional rights to innocent citizens when their property is seized by federal agencies.

Led the successful fight to repeal the federal boat "user fee" tax - saving boaters $600 million.

Was instrumental in eliminating the federal tax on diesel fuel used by hundreds of thousands of boat owners.

Lobbied successfully to eliminate the FCC VHF marine radio license requirement for recreational boats less than 65 feet operating in U.S. waters.

Bill to Ban Shark Finning in all U.S. waters was passed by Congress in 2000.

Won Reform of Fisheries Law to rebuild stocks and prevent overfishing

Convinced Congress and NOAA to retain offshore weather buoy network

Helped defeat proposed federal tax on outdoors equipment

Won additional funding from Congress for NOAA Nautical Chart Modernization

Regulatory Successes:

Worked to convince federal agencies to eliminate the "Selective Availability" scrambling of the Global Positioning Signal (GPS) in May 2000, improving the satellite navigation signal 10-fold.

Helped win U.S. Coast Guard approval of inflatable life jackets. Now participating in on-going standards development, education efforts.

Won Dept. of Transportation reversal in policy to maintain LORAN through 2008.

Defeated drastic toll increase for small vessels transiting the Panama Canal.