For Immediate Release. May 29 th, 2012

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1 For Immediate Release May 29 th, 2012 Contacts: Abhi Bhansali, Greater New Orleans, Inc., , Erik Noriega, Greater Houston Partnership, , Mike Cashion, Mississippi Hospitality & Restaurant Association, , Leigh Perry- Herndon, Mobile Area, , Beth Oltman, Panama City Beach, , Gulf Region Cities, Municipalities, and Chambers of Commerce To Congress: Pass RESTORE Act, Restore Local Economies, Create Jobs Coalition pushes for economic restoration provided by RESTORE NEW ORLEANS As Congress prepares to vote on the RESTORE Act, more than 100 leaders of cities, municipalities, economic development organizations, and chambers of commerce throughout the Gulf region have sent a joint letter to Senate and House leaders urging them to consider the deep economic benefit and job creation potential the region would have if the RESTORE Act were made law. If passed, the RESTORE Act would direct the majority of penalties paid by those responsible for the Deepwater Horizon oil spill back to Gulf communities. This legislation is vital to our communities efforts to bounce back from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, the letter said. The economic and ecological restoration called for under the RESTORE Act will create needed private sector jobs while reclaiming vital natural and commercial assets that are unique to the Gulf Coast. Earlier this year, the House and Senate both passed versions of the RESTORE Act as part of their Transportation Bills. The legislation dedicates 80 percent of the Clean Water Act fines from BP, and the other parties responsible for the Gulf oil spill, to restoring the Gulf Coast. The legislation will ensure money paid to the federal government in penalties is used to rebuild the economies of Gulf Coast communities that were directly impacted by the spill. Without this directive, billions of dollars in expected fines could go toward unrelated federal spending. The bills are now in conference awaiting final action from Congress in order to send them to the s desk to become law. The long- term viability of the Gulf is dependent upon preserving its coast. The economy and security of the nation is significantly dependent upon the Gulf, said Michael Hecht, president and CEO of Greater New Orleans, Inc. With this interdependence in mind, passing the RESTORE Act is both a regional and national imperative.

2 Signatories include the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry, Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association, and the West Galveston Island Property Owners Association in Texas, among others. Together, they are urging Congress to focus on the legislation s short- and long- term impact on the fisheries, marine and wildlife habitats, beaches, and outdoor spaces that are fundamental to the Gulf Coast economy and play a critical role in the viability of our national economy. According to a Duke University study released in December 2011, the RESTORE Act could create jobs that would benefit at least 140 businesses across the country with nearly 400 employee locations in 37 states. According to the National Marine Fisheries Service, the Gulf produces roughly 40 percent of the seafood in the contiguous 48 states, and the region is also home to 10 of the country s 15 largest ports. The devastating effect of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill disaster continues to have a long- term impact on businesses and the environment along the Gulf Coast, said Win Hallett, president of the Mobile Area. We strongly urge swift passage of the RESTORE Act to make whole cities, counties, businesses, individuals, and ecosystems across the Gulf of Mexico. The growth and health of the Gulf Coast region from Texas, through Houston, to Florida is critical to the wellbeing of the U.S. economy, said Micah Hirschfield, vice president of communications at the Greater Houston Partnership, the Houston business community's primary advocate. For that reason, GHP urges support and approval of the RESTORE Act, which helps our region develop and fittingly appropriates the funds from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill to the communities that need it. This commitment to reinvest in the Mississippi Gulf Coast is critically important as the businesses move toward a full recovery, said Mike Cashion, executive director of the Mississippi Hospitality & Restaurant Association. The Gulf Coast is a tourism destination with a wonderful story to tell. Restoration of the Gulf Coast, and the tourism industry will mean more jobs and an across- the- board positive economic impact. In Panama City Beach, our economy depends on beautiful natural resources that were injured in the BP oil disaster, including our alluring beaches and fresh Gulf seafood, which drive tourism to our restaurants, resorts, and businesses, said Beth Oltman, president and CEO of the Panama City Beach. Passage of the RESTORE Act will not only put the Gulf Coast on the path to revitalize our precious natural resources but also to mend our economy. Full text of the letter is below.

3 The Honorable Harry Reid The Honorable Mitch A. McConnell Majority Leader Republican Leader U.S. Senate U.S. Senate S-221 United States Capitol S-230 Capitol Building Washington, DC Washington, DC The Honorable John A. Boehner The Honorable Nancy Pelosi Speaker Democratic Leader U.S. House of Representatives U.S. House of Representatives H-232 United States Capitol H-204 United States Capitol Washington, DC Washington, DC May 29, 2012 To our Senate and House Leaders: It has been two years since the start of the gulf oil spill which had profound environmental and economic impacts on the Gulf Coast communities. As leaders of concerned communities, cities, associations and businesses, we affirm our support for the RESTORE Act in the context of the transportation reauthorization bill. The RESTORE Act would help restore our region s economy and the natural resources on which our communities rely. This common-sense legislation would direct 80 percent of the Clean Water Act civil penalties paid by those responsible for the spill back to our communities - where the damage from the spill was done. This legislation is vital to our efforts to bounce back from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The economic and ecological restoration called for under the RESTORE Act will create needed private sector jobs while reclaiming vital natural and commercial assets that are unique to the Gulf Coast and critically important to the economic and environmental health of the nation. We are grateful for the leadership of our congressional delegations in advancing the RESTORE Act and for the support you and your colleagues already have demonstrated for the gulf region. The decisive action in both the House and the Senate on the RESTORE Act to dedicate the penalties to the gulf reflects broad support across the country for gulf restoration. We hope that you will do all you can in this crucial effort to make our communities whole and deliver passage of the RESTORE Act as a part of the final transportation bill to the to sign into law as soon as possible. Sincerely, The following 118 Gulf Coast cities, municipalities, economic development groups and chambers of commerce

4 Jo Hood Alabama Gulf Coast Herb Malone Alabama Gulf Coast Convention & Visitors Bureau Lawrence M. Fidel and CAE Alabama Hospitality Association & Alabama Restaurant Association Jerry Mohn American Shore & Beach Preservation Association: Texas Chapter Tommy Martinez Parish Ascension Parish, Assumption Parish Police Jury, Charles Gruber County Commissioner Baldwin County, AL District 4 Adam Knapp Baton Rouge Area Chamber, Carol Roberts Bay County Chamber of Commerce, FL Neal Wade Bay County Economic Development Alliance, FL Rebecca Templeton Bayou Grace Community Services Jennifer Armand Bayou Industrial Group Jim Rich Beaumont Chamber of Commerce, TX William Stallworth Councilman City of Biloxi, MS Lisa Johnson Bossier Chamber of William Canary Business Council of Alabama Les Faurnum Calcasieu Parish Police Jury, Earnestine Horn Parish Administrator Cameron Parish, Deborah Randolph Central Louisiana George Swift Southwest Louisiana Scott Kirkpatrick Coast Builders Coalition, Bailey Yelding City of Daphne, AL Jeff Collier Town of Dauphin Island, AL Fred B. Rounsaville Dauphin Island Water and Sewer Authority, AL Larry Sassano Council of Okaloosa County, FL Beth Kirkland Council of Tallahassee/Leon County, FL Rod West Executive Vice and CAO Entergy, Ginny Russell Vice of Community and Governmental Affairs for Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce Envision Coastal Alabama Grover Robinson County Commissioner Escambia County, FL John Smith Legislative Director Florida Association of Counties and Wakulla County, FL

5 Don Kirkman Florida s Great Northwest Carol Dover Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association Joseph Parrish Commissioner Franklin County Board of Commissioners, FL Joseph Jaworski of Galveston, TX Jerry Mohn West Galveston Island Property Owners Association, TX David J. Camardelle Town of Grand Isle, Warren Yeager Commissioner Gulf County, FL Robert Craft City of Gulf Shores, AL Anthony Kaiser Gulf United Metro Business Organization (GUMBO), AL Kim Savant Harrison County Board of Supervisors, MS Drake Pothier Houma/Terrebonne, Micah Hirschfield Vice, Communications Greater Houston Partnership, TX Errol Romero Parish Iberia Parish, Jackson County Board of Supervisors, MS Timothy P. Kerner Town of Jean Lafitte, Todd Murphy Jefferson Chamber of Julie Conley Jefferson County Council, FL John F. Young, Jr. Parish Jefferson Parish, Jefferson Parish Economic Development Commission, City of Key Colony Beach, FL Rob Guidry Greater Lafayette Chamber of Charlotte Randolph Parish Lafourche Parish, Lin Kiger Lafourche Parish Chamber of Randy Roach City of Lake Charles, Daniel L. Juneau Louisiana Association of Business & Industry Stan Harris Louisiana Restaurant Association Ewell Smith Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board Carole Stevens Lower Keys Chamber of Commerce, FL Neil Spirtas Vice, Public Policy & Small Business Manatee Chamber of Commerce, FL Edward V. Ciampi Martin County Board of Commissioners, FL Jack Norris Mississippi Gulf Coast Business Council Kimberly Nastasi CEO Mississippi Gulf Coast

6 Mike Cashion Mississippi Hospitality and Restaurant Association Samuel L. Jones City of Mobile, AL Winthrop M. Hallett, III Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce, AL Connie Hudson Commission Mobile County, AL Timothy Matte City of Morgan City, Charles Allen Director of Coastal and Environmental Affairs City of New Orleans, Ben Johnson New Orleans Chamber of Savanna Engen Coordinator, Industry Relations and Government Affairs New Orleans Convention & Visitors Bureau, Michael Hecht Greater New Orleans, Inc., Jeffrey Hendry Northwest Florida League of Cities and Suwanee River League of Cities, FL Don Amunds Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners, FL Tony Kennon City of Orange Beach, AL Beth Oltman Panama City Beach, FL Dan Rowe Panama City Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau, FL and Bay County Tourist Development Council, FL Jim Hizer Greater Pensacola, FL Patsy Parker Town of Perdido Beach, AL Robert L. Thomas Plaquemines Association of Business and Industry, Billy Nungesser Parish Plaquemines Parish, Joel Chaisson Port of South Louisiana Simone Maloz Restore or Retreat, Chassity McComack River Region Chamber of Jerry Graves CAO St. Bernard Parish, Stephen Reuther CEO St. Bernard Parish, Tommy Faucheux St. Charles Parish Council, Timmy Roussel Parish St. James Parish, Natalie Robottom Parish St. John the Baptist Parish, Paul P. Naquin Parish St. Mary Parish, Chris Steinocher St. Petersburg Area, FL Dawn Sharpe-Brackett St. Tammany East, Brenda Reine Bertus St. Tammany Economic Development Foundation,

7 Pat Brister Parish St. Tammany Parish, Lacey Toledano St. Tammany West, Santa Rosa County, FL Richard H. Bremer Greater Shreveport, Glenn Manning South Baldwin Chamber of Commerce, AL Kirk Meche South Central Industrial Association, Vic Lafont South Louisiana Economic Council Robert N. Pinkerton, Jr. City of South Padre Island, TX Timothy P. Doody The Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority-East Roger Ogden Southeast Super-Region Committee, George Swift Southwest Louisiana Alliance Gordon A. Burgess Parish Tangipahoa Parish, Michel Claudet Parish Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government, Texas Restaurant Association Kathy Benoit Thibodaux Chamber of The Honorable Walt Johnson Vice City of Titusville, FL U.S. Chamber of Commerce John Holic City of Venice, FL Anne Milling Founder Women of the Storm Gerry A. Demers Assistant County Administrator Walton County Board of County Commissioners, FL Scarlett Phaneuf Walton County Economic Development Alliance, FL Dawn Moliterno Walton County Tourist Development Council, FL John I. Shaddinger, Jr. City of Westwego,