Rep. Helen Delich Bentley, R-2nd, was named "Port Leader of the Year" by the Baltimore Junior Association of Commerce for her efforts to improve the Port of Baltimore.

Bentley received the award in ceremonies in Baltimore yesterday. She previously had won the award in 1974 when she was chairwoman of the Federal Maritime Commission.

Noting the progress the port has seen this year, including the addition of several new shipping lines, the congresswoman said she believed 1992 would offer opportunities to strengthen the port's position in the Middle Atlantic and strengthen a sagging economy.