Silver Spring, Md. – May 15, 2025 – The National Marine Sanctuary Foundation will honor Rep. Rob Wittman (R-VA) and Rep. Jared Huffman (D-CA) for their ocean leadership at the Ocean Awards Reception on June 3rd at Capitol Hill Ocean Week.
The Ocean Awards Reception creates an energizing and fun soiree for meeting, mingling, and celebrating champions of our ocean. The reception is the place to network with colleagues old and new, luminaries in the ocean community, and the business leaders and policymakers that are invested in our waters. Attendees will gather with friends, broaden networks, enjoy sustainable US seafood and, most importantly, celebrate our collective commitment to improving the health of our ocean, coasts, and Great Lakes and the communities that depend upon them. A limited number of reception tickets are available at capitolhilloceanweek.org/reception.
The Leadership Award honors political leaders who demonstrate a commitment to improving the health of our ocean and Great Lakes. Reps. Wittman and Huffman are being recognized for their tireless work for coastal communities and to honor people’s connection, enjoyment, and responsibility to our public waters. Together, they are leaders on the U.S. House of Representatives Natural Resource Committee, reaching across the aisle in pursuit of local, state, and national solutions for governing our waters. Past Leadership Award honorees include President Bill Clinton, President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, Senator Ted Stevens, and Rep. Raul Grijalva.
Joel Johnson, president and CEO of the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, said, “Reps. Wittman and Huffman hold deep roots in public service from local to national levels championing healthy, prosperous communities and clean, resilient waters. From opposite coastlines, they share in their passion and dedication to preserving America’s maritime history and culture, advancing marine science and technology, bolstering coastal economies and businesses, improving resilience, lifting up community voices, and protecting our ocean, coasts, and Great Lakes. We are excited to celebrate and honor them both during Capitol Hill Ocean Week.”
“It’s an incredible honor to receive this recognition from the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation,” said Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-01). “Growing up near the Chesapeake Bay instilled in me a lifelong passion for conservation that led to a career in marine science and public service, and it’s why I’ve made it my mission to protect our nation’s waterways, aquatic animal populations, and marine ecosystems and sanctuaries from the local shorelines in Virginia to waters across the nation. I’m grateful to the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation for their leadership and for all they do to preserve our oceans for future generations.”
“From defending America’s coastlines to preventing offshore drilling to protecting precious oceanic ecosystems, ocean stewardship always has been at the heart of my public service,” said Rep. Jared Huffman. “Keeping our oceans healthy is essential to regulating our climate, supporting coastal economies, and connecting communities around the world. Protecting our waters isn’t just about sustaining marine life, but also about securing a livable future for us all. I’m proud to work alongside so many dedicated leaders to keep our oceans resilient and thriving for generations to come. It’s an honor to receive the Ocean Leadership Award, and I look forward to continuing our work together.”
Congressman Rob Wittman has represented Virginia’s First District since 2007. Prior to joining the U.S. Congress, he served in the Virginia General Assembly, on the Westmoreland Board of Supervisors, and on the Montross Town Council. He began his career as an environmental health specialist for local health departments in Virginia and later worked for the Virginia Department of Health for 20 years, most recently as director of its Division of Shellfish Sanitation. Wittman serves as vice chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee, to which he brings professional expertise in water quality, the environment, and fisheries. His Chesapeake Bay Accountability Act, signed into law in 2014, increased transparency for expenditures related to environmental cleanup efforts. He holds a Ph.D. in public policy and administration from Virginia Commonwealth University, a master of public health degree from the University of North Carolina, and a bachelor’s degree in biology from Virginia Tech.
Congressman Jared Huffman represents California’s 2nd Congressional District, which spans the North Coast of the state from the Golden Gate Bridge to the Oregon border. During his time in Congress, Jared has built a reputation as a progressive leader and an environmental expert who focuses on making a difference. He currently serves as Ranking Member of the Committee on Natural Resources and as a member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and is the founder of the Congressional Freethought Caucus. Jared proudly represents Greater Farallones and Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuaries and co-chairs the Congressional National Marine Sanctuary Caucus. Before serving in Congress, Jared represented the North Bay for six years in the California Assembly where he chaired the Water, Parks and Wildlife Committee. Prior to his legislative service, Jared worked as a Senior Attorney for the Natural Resources Defense Council.
The National Marine Sanctuary System preserves America’s maritime heritage, safeguarding shipwrecks, naval battlefields, and sacred cultural sites that tell our rich history. As we celebrate America’s 250th anniversary and the 50th anniversary of Monitor National Marine Sanctuary (our nation’s first sanctuary), these places offer an opportunity to celebrate national history and heroes while protecting underwater treasures.
About Capitol Hill Ocean Week 2025
By showcasing the cutting-edge advancements and emerging leaders that are shaping the future of ocean stewardship, Capitol Hill Ocean Week 2025 spotlights THE NEXT WAVE of transformative change across science, culture and heritage, resiliency, and innovation. As the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation celebrates its 25th anniversary, CHOW attendees are invited to explore and connect with the pioneering individuals and initiatives that are leading the charge in protecting and transforming the future of our ocean and Great Lakes.
Capitol Hill Ocean Week includes events from June 2 – 5. CHOW will kick off with Hill Day on Monday, June 2 on Capitol Hill. The CHOW Conference is two full days of high-level programming on Tuesday, June 3 and Wednesday June 4 at the Ronald Reagan Building. The Ocean Awards Reception will be held the evening of Tuesday, June 3 at the Ronald Reagan Building featuring awards for ocean champions, expanding networking and convening opportunities, and showcasing sustainable US seafood. Partner-organized events will be scheduled throughout the week to showcase the community’s ongoing strength and new initiatives, including an official CHOW Partner Day on Thursday, June 5 at various locations across the Washington, DC area.
CHOW is planned, convened and programmed by the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, in collaboration with partners such as NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries, sponsors, a CHOW Advisory Committee, and others across the ocean space. The conference is free and open to the public thanks to the generosity of sponsors and partners.
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The National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, established in 2000, is the official non-profit partner of the National Marine Sanctuary System. The Foundation directly supports America’s national marine sanctuaries through our mission to protect species, conserve ecosystems and preserve cultural and maritime heritage. We accomplish our mission through community stewardship and engagement programs, on-the-water conservation projects, public education and outreach programs, and scientific research and exploration. The Foundation fosters innovative projects that are solution-oriented, scalable and transferable, and develop strategic partnerships that promote the conservation and recovery of species and their habitats. Learn more at marinesanctuary.org.
Contact: Chip Weiskotten
Director of Strategic Communications
301-754-6134
chip@marinesanctuary.org