He missed last week's visit to Jacksonville by President Bush, but Mayor Peyton has a good excuse.

"The Chamber of Commerce and the Jacksonville Port Authority just returned. I led a trade mission to Asia, to China and Japan," says Peyton.

It was another move in Peyton's effort to boost Jacksonville's economy and per capita income by promoting our ports.

"With the expansion of our port and the growth we're seeing there. There's never been a time where it's more important to have a presence in these emerging countries," says Peyton.

Peyton says the President's visit to the Blount Island terminal is proof that Jacksonville is poised to become the third largest port on the east coast.