AMO Currents - AMO Headquarters opens with congratulations from Congressional, military, labor, corporate, government leaders

AMO Currents - Posted: June 7, 2011

AMO Headquarters opens with congratulations from Congressional, military, labor, corporate, government leaders

	AMO National President Tom Bethel addresses those gathered for the grand opening of AMO Headquarters in Dania Beach, Fla.

Among those attending the grand opening of AMO Headquarters today were AMO Secretary-Treasurer José Leonard, Seafarers International Union President Michael Sacco, U.S. Maritime Administrator David Matsuda, U.S. Congressman Allen West (R-FL), MSC Commander Rear Adm. Mark Buzby, AMO National President Tom Bethel, Dania Beach City Commissioner Walter Duke, Seventh District Coast Guard Commander Rear Adm. William Baumgartner and AMOS President and AMO Plans Co-Chairman Anthony Naccarato.

The AMO Headquarters building was dedicated today in Dania Beach, Fla., with a ceremony involving Congressional, military, labor, corporate and government leaders.

AMO National President Thomas Bethel welcomed to the dedication Rep. Allen West (R-FL), Commander of Military Sealift Command Rear Adm. Mark Buzby, Seafarers International Union President Michael Sacco, U.S. Maritime Administrator David Matsuda, Seventh Coast Guard District Commander Rear Adm. William Baumgartner, President of American Maritime Officers Service and Co-Chairman of American Maritime Officers Plans Anthony Naccarato, and Dania Beach City Commissioner Walter Duke. Each made a presentation commending the seagoing membership of AMO, the union's leadership and its service to the nation's commerce, defense and security.

"On behalf of the National Executive Board of AMO, I thank the AMO membership for guiding our union to this long overdue milestone," Bethel said, addressing the audience of AMO members, company representatives, military personnel, union officials and AMO and AMO Plans employees and families. "I dedicate this extraordinary building to these extraordinary seagoing men and women."

American Maritime Officers now has a true headquarters for the first time in its history. The construction of this new state-of-the-art building was approved by the membership in a union-wide secret ballot referendum. Headquarters will house the AMO Dispatch, Member Services, Accounting, and Editorial Departments, as well as the union administration. It consolidates all union services under one roof for the convenience of the membership and serves as a space for AMO union meetings and special events.

"This building is a much more accurate reflection of what American Maritime Officers is as a professional organization of singular stature," he said. "Ours is the nation's largest and strongest union of merchant marine officers, and this building is a far more fitting symbol of the excellence identified so closely and so commonly with American Maritime Officers."