Williams receives recognition from Grady-White Boats

Rep. Arthur Williams, who represents Pitt and Beaufort counties in the N.C. House of Representatives, received recognition at Grady-White Boats in Greenville for his successful sponsorship of legislation, HB 2167, to revise state law for boat trailers that was preventing trailers wider than 8 feet, 6 inches access to state roads on weekends.

BoatUS named six boating access award winners in early December through an award program it created in 2007 to highlight successes in protecting water access. Williams received the Recreational Boating Access Award, designed to draw national attention to innovative solutions that preserve and expand access for recreational boaters.

The loss of boating access can take many forms, including how and when boaters may transport their boats to the water. Prior to the law supported by Williams, enforcement actions had led some boaters and anglers to think of the state as unfriendly to boating, and many fishing tournaments left the state.

The legislation overcame misinformation spread by state agencies, had to pass 11 committees and also overrode a veto from Gov. Mike Easley.

Williams has served three terms in the N.C. House and is a resident of Washington, N.C.

BoatUS (Boat Owners Association of The United States) is the nation's leading advocate for recreational boaters providing its 650,000 members with government representation, programs and money saving services. BoatUS has more than 19,000 members in North Carolina.