Leader honored for work

David Madison, Dan Overbey, Rep. Lanie Black, Leon Steinbrueck, Timmie Lynn Hunter and Marvin Proffer.

SCOTT CITY - State Representative Lanie Black was honored by members of the Missouri Port Authority Association, Semo Port Board of Commissioners, County Commissioners and other regional government officials recently.

Black, whose service ends this December due to term limits, was chairman of the House Appropriations Committee for Transportation and Economic Development. In that position, he led efforts to obtain more funding for capital improvements at Missouri's river ports.

The 161st District, which Black represented, extends from Scott City along the river south to New Madrid. It is the only district which contains three port authorities: New Madrid County Port, Mississippi County Port, and Semo Port (Scott and Cape counties). In addition, he worked for funding to Pemiscot County Port (Caruthersville) and New Bourbon Regional Port (Perry and Ste. Genevieve counties), as well as other ports throughout the state.

Black noted the importance of the ports to local agriculture, economic development, and world trade.