[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 4 (Monday, February 2, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S254]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      WASHINGTON NATIONAL AIRPORT

  Mr. ROBB. Mr. President, I rise today to note my opposition to the 
effort to overshadow the name of our first President, which graces the 
airport that serves as the gateway to the city bearing his name.
  Washington National Airport is located in the Commonwealth of 
Virginia, the birthplace of George Washington. It lies adjacent to the 
city of Alexandria, the hometown of George Washington.
  The people of Alexandria are proud to live in George Washington's 
city and have asked this Congress not to displace Washington's name on 
the airport.
  In fact, the original airport terminal, whose facade reflects the 
design of Mount Vernon's portico, was preserved when the airport was 
recently renovated.
  The people of Arlington County, the local municipality that surrounds 
Washington National Airport, have expressed their strong opposition as 
well.
  The Greater Washington Board of Trade, as well as local businesses 
that would be harmed by this bill, oppose the legislation that has been 
offered.
  In 1986, Mr. President, legislation was approved by the U.S. Congress 
transferring the operation of Washington National Airport from the 
Federal Government to the Metropolitan Airports Authority.
  The Airports Authority is a nonfederal entity established by 
interstate compact between the District of Columbia and the 
Commonwealth of Virginia.
  President Ronald Reagan, who championed State and local control, 
rather than Federal control, whenever and wherever it was appropriate, 
was the President who signed that legislation.
  Former Virginia Governor Linwood Holton, a Republican and the 
chairman of the Airports Authority, said, ``Unilateral action by the 
Congress to take the drastic action of changing the name of the airport 
is inconsistent with both the spirit and the intent of the transfer.''
  It is highly ironic that this Congress is attempting to impose its 
Federal will on local governments, a State/local airports authority, 
and the local business community, in the name of Ronald Reagan, whose 
career and legacy centers on his deep commitment to limiting the reach 
of the Federal Government.
  Mr. President, creating a controversy that is contrary to his legacy 
does not honor Ronald Reagan.
  Like the vast majority of Americans, I have long admired President 
Reagan's personal courage, his strong convictions, his infectious 
spirit, and his leadership of our Nation and the international 
community.
  There are many appropriate ways to honor the name and the legacy of 
this great American.
  On May 5, we will dedicate the Ronald Reagan Building and 
International Trade Center in downtown Washington. It is the largest 
Federal building ever built in Washington, DC. Among all Federal 
buildings throughout the entire Nation, only the Pentagon is larger.
  In addition, Congress has appropriately named the next aircraft 
carrier after President Reagan in a resolution I heartily supported and 
was pleased to cosponsor.
  The U.S.S. Ronald Reagan will be a magnificent and, indeed, a fitting 
tribute to a Commander in Chief who stood for U.S. military strength 
throughout our world.
  There will undoubtedly be many more opportunities to honor Ronald 
Reagan and his legacy--and, indeed, jurisdictions where it might be 
particularly appropriate, such as California or Illinois, might choose 
to put his name on an airport.
  But overshadowing the name of our first President, ignoring the 
expressed views of local governments and their people, as well as the 
local business community, interfering in operations of an airport, that 
because of a bill signed by Ronald Reagan is no longer truly Federal, 
is not the way to do it.
  Mr. President, in summary, there are many appropriate ways to honor 
the name and the legacy of Ronald Reagan. Renaming Washington National 
Airport is not one of them.
  So I ask my colleagues to oppose this legislation, not out of 
disrespect for the man, but as a symbol of respect for the principles 
for which he has lived. It may be that after appropriate consultation 
with the local jurisdictions directly involved, and indeed with the 
President and particularly Mrs. Reagan, whose views on this particular 
matter have not been publicly ascertained, that some action regarding 
Washington National Airport would be in order. But to move forward 
without that consideration would detract from the honor intended, as 
well as the very appropriate and fitting ceremonies planned for May 5.

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