NEWS |
160-00: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE , November 16, 2000
Seamen's House, based in the Prospect Park YMCA in Brooklyn, has provided health care, food and other services since 1931 to homeless and retired seafarers as well as those on ships stranded in port. Services provided by Seamen's House include mailing letters and organizing phone calls for seafarers, assisting in money exchange and arranging for dental care.
"Seamen's House of the Prospect Park YMCA is thrilled to honor Port Authority Executive Director Robert E. Boyle as its 2000 Person of the Year," said Sean Andrews, Director of Seamen's House. "Seamen's House is recognizing Mr. Boyle for his leadership efforts to expand maritime commerce in New York and New Jersey, and his contributions to improving the welfare of seafarers.
"During his tenure at the Port Authority, he has launched a master plan for a major port redevelopment program, and has supported projects to improve the welfare of seafarers," Mr. Andrews added. "His leadership and vision are deeply appreciated by seafarers, committee members, partners and the staff of Seamen's House."
"I appreciate this recognition, but in fact the honors truly belong to Seamen's House for its consistent effort over the past 70 years to show care and compassion for thousands of seafarers," Mr. Boyle said. "This is an important program for the maritime community, helping thousands of seafarers obtain medical and legal help, food and a variety of other services."
In addition to his commitment to port commerce, the group also cited Mr. Boyle for a variety of other accomplishments since he became executive director in 1997. They are:
· Launching major airport access projects at John F. Kennedy International and Newark International airports.
· Overseeing a $15 billion redevelopment program for Kennedy, Newark and LaGuardia airports, the largest redevelopment program in the nation's history.
· Implementing E-ZPass technology at all Port Authority bridges and tunnels.
· Streamlining the agency's operations, including reducing staff by 25 percent through attrition, to the lowest levels in 30 years.
· Signing new agreements with 20 Port Authority and PATH unions, marking the first time in Port Authority history that negotiations were concluded with all of the agency's unions.
In addition to the services it provides, Seamen's House also maintains 12 rooms for retired seafarers at the Prospect Park YMCA. All residents have a minimum of seven years in the maritime industry. Staff also maintains a regular schedule of home visits to retired seafarers to ensure that they are receiving proper care.