b'LEGISLATIVE LEGISLATIVE REPORTJoining the CrewRICHARD PATCH // LEGISLATIVE DIRECTORA hoy there! My name is Rich- sociation staff as the new Legislativerelationsforthenationsoldestand ard Patch and I am pleased toDirector.IcometoPVAafteranearly largestanimalprotectioncharities, join the Passenger Vessel As- 30-yearcareerworkingingovernment the American Society for the Preven-tion of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) andtheHumaneSocietyoftheU.S.(HSUS). During my time at HSUSandASPCAweworkedtoadvance policies that reduce suffering and in-crease protections for animals. Joining PVA is a homecoming of sorts for me. After finishing college in my home state of North Carolina, I be-ganmyprofessionalcareerworking onCapitolHillforChairmanWal-ter B. Jones and his Committee onMerchant Marine and Fisheries. The committee was managed by a young staff director named Ed Welch. Fast forward three decades and I am right backwhereIstartedlearningthe ropesfromEd.Ihavebig,familiar, experiencedshoestofill,butIam excited for the challenge and ready to begin the work with Ed, John, and the rest of the PVA team by my side. And, as you may know, Ed will be staying with us for a while and has promised to impart some knowledge and expe-rience on me.I have always had an affinity for coast-alcommunitiesandthemaritime culture. I grew up in Greenville, N.C., notfarfromsomeofthepirateBlack-beardsreputedhomes.Igraduated fromEastCarolinaUniversity(homeof the Pirates) and spent my summers working at a sailing and motorboating camp for boysCamp Sea Gull. My FOGHORN 30'