The U.S. Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee held a hearing on Tuesday, which included brief testimony from two officials nominated by President Bush to serve on the Federal Maritime Commission.

A. Paul Anderson, who recently completed a term with the commission, was tapped by the administration to serve a second term with the FMC as chairman of the five-person commission.

Before his swearing in at the FMC on June 3, 2004, Anderson was vice president for government relations for nine years at JM Family Enterprises, a Deerfield, Fla.-based auto business. He also previously held management positions with Florida's Port Everglades and Hvide Marine.

If confirmed by the Senate, Anderson would fill a vacancy left by former FMC Chairman Steven R. Blust, who completed his term in 2006.

The Senate Commerce Committee also heard a statement from FMC commission nominee Carl B. Kress, who cited his experiences with the U.S. Trade and Development Agency, U.S. International Trade Commission, and private law practice as providing a "strong foundation" for serving the FMC.