Luther Strange

Birmingham lawyer Luther Strange got a tour of the Port of Mobile last week, courtesy of a pair of Mobile business executives.

Strange, who lost a close race for Alabama lieutenant governor to Jim Folsom Jr. in 2006, said he wanted a first-hand look at Mobile's waterfront after recently gaining an appointment to the advisory board of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy.

Strange, a Republican who is eyeing a bid for statewide office in 2010, served in the Merchant Marine after his graduation from Tulane University. He was appointed to the academy board by U.S. Transportation Secretary Mary Peters.

Strange was joined on his boat tour Wednesday by Mike Lee , president of Mobile's Page & Jones Inc., and Win Hallett , president of the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce.

"Alabama is fortunate to have a number of Marine Academy graduates working as leaders in our important maritime industry," Strange said. "I'm glad to be of service."

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