[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 109 (Tuesday, July 29, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1547]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   A NEW NATIONAL AIRPORT IS LAUNCHED

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. FRANK R. WOLF

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 29, 1997

  Mr. WOLF. Mr. Speaker, Sunday morning, July 27, 1997, was a historic 
occasion in the Nation's Capital. The New National Airport was 
unveiled. The new terminal and facility boasts stunning architecture 
and artwork, sweeping panoramic views of Washington, DC, restaurants, 
and retail outlets for the 19 major airlines and shuttles which 
annually serve over 15 million passengers.
  The new airport can also be called more user-friendly, with some 
5,000 parking spaces and with Metrorail almost to the new terminal's 
front door. It is truly a magnificent gateway to the Nation's Capital.
  National Airport has come a long way since its opening in June 1941, 
when the Federal Government was in charge of operating the airport. 
Over the years, National has had its share of growing pains, and as a 
ward of the Federal Government which had to compete for its share of a 
dwindling Federal pie, it became what one Transportation Secretary in 
1979 called a dump.
  Today, though, National is being called a showplace. For that, we 
salute the yeoman efforts of Transportation Secretary Elizabeth Hanford 
Dole who 13 years ago set in motion a commission headed by former 
Virginia Governor Linwood Holton, on which I was honored to serve with 
other area Members of Congress and Governors, and the D.C. Major, to 
come up with a plan to get the Federal Government out of the airports 
business.
  After several years of fits and starts, the persuasive Mrs. Dole 
finally achieved her goal. Congress approved legislation to transfer 
Washington National and Washington Dulles International Airports from 
Federal ownership to a local authority.
  In 1987 the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority was created, 
putting the wheels in motion to improve both National and Dulles 
Airports. Soon after, with the ability to sell bonds to finance 
improvements, the airports authority began an almost $2 billion 
construction program for the two airports. We see today the result of 
the airports authority's vision at the new National Airport. Dulles is 
also progressing, with the new Midfield Concourse on schedule and set 
to open later this fall.
  We offer congratulations to the airports authority and the many, many 
people in northern Virginia and the entire Metropolitan Washington Area 
who have worked so hard over the past 10 years to launch National 
Airport into a new century of aviation.

                          ____________________