DR. WARREN VALDRY PRESENTS ACI-NA AWARD TO SEN. PATTY MURRAY, REP. HAROLD ROGERS
(Washington, DC -- April 8, 2002) The Airports Council International - North America's (ACI-NA) Commissioners Committee, comprised of community leaders from across the nation, recently saluted Senate Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman Patty Murray (D-WA), and House Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman Harold Rogers (R-KY) for their commitment and dedication to improving U.S. aviation.
Dr. Warren Valdry, vice president of the Los Angeles Board of Airport Commissioners and chair of the ACI-NA Commissioners Committee, presided over the event. The Congressional Leadership Award honors members of Congress for their support of airports. Chairmen Murray and Rogers have been active and enthusiastic advocates for airports and the air transportation system.
The awards were presented during a congressional reception that evening that concluded the annual ACI-NA/AAAE Spring Washington Legislative Conference. During the conference delegates heard from members of Congress, congressional staff and key policymakers from the Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration and the newly-formed Transportation Security Administration (TSA), as well as leaders in the airport industry on topics such as airport security and staffing of TSA.
"Chairman Murray is being recognized for her reputation as a strong supporter of the transportation industry," Valdry said. "Her commitment to airports was demonstrated throughout the FY02 Department of Transportation Appropriations bill," he added.
"Chairman Rogers' leadership has brought important aviation issues to the forefront of the congressional agenda. As chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, he works to ensure that the nation's transportation system will be prepared for the growing demands of the future," Valdry said.
In addition to honoring Chairmen Murray and Rogers, ACI-NA recognized three college students, who were recently named finalists in the 2002 ACI-NA Airport Commissioner's Scholarship competition. The scholarships were awarded to Rachelle Marie Minick of St. Cloud State University, Jeremy Williamson of Southern Illinois University Carbondale and Maurice Stanley, who attends Dowling College.
ACI-NA represents local, regional and state governing bodies that own and operate commercial airports in the United States and Canada. ACI-NA member airports enplane more than 98 percent of the domestic and virtually all the international airline passenger and cargo traffic in North America. Over 370 aviation-related businesses are also members of the association, which is the largest of the six worldwide regions of Airports Council International.
(NSC - 4/8/02)
