At least four of the 11 companies and government agencies recently recognized by President George W. Bush for excellence in exporting will be familiar to DC VELOCITY readers. Third-party logistics service provider Mallory Alexander International Logistics, Hytrol Conveyor Co., the Maryland Port Administration, and the Georgia Department of Economic Development were among the organizations that received "E" Awards from the U.S. Department of Commerce in a ceremony held earlier this summer.

The E Award, the highest honor the federal government can bestow on an American exporter, recognizes U.S. companies for their competitive achievements in world markets and their part in increasing U.S. exports abroad. The award was created by President John F. Kennedy in 1961.

U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez noted that this year's ceremony marked two notable economic achievements. "These E Award companies are helping to grow new markets around the world, and I commend them for contributing to last year's record of $1.4 trillion in goods and services exports," he said. "Last year, the growth rate of exports outpaced the growth rate of imports for the first time in nearly a decade." The other winners included manufacturers Sign-a-Rama Inc., Numonics Corp., Hydra Platforms Manufacturing Inc., Gerber Technology, Nylonge Co., Pharmaceutical Innovations, and Lincoln Electric Holdings.