[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 135 (Thursday, October 7, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Pages S12252-S12253]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       JOHN ``JACK'' J. DRISCOLL

 Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, on the occasion of his retirement 
as executive director of the Los Angeles World Airports, LAWA, I would 
like to recognize the important contribution Jack Driscoll has made to 
the City of Los Angeles and to the economy of Southern California over 
the past seven years.
  Jack Driscoll was appointed executive director in December of 1992. 
His record of accomplishment can best be shown in the outstanding 
quality of management and development at the city's four airports: Los 
Angeles International, LAX, Ontario International, Palmdale Regional, 
and Van Nuys.
  Under Mr. Driscoll's financial management, LAWA has increased its 
operating income by an overwhelming 329 percent through the combination 
of reorganization, streamlining measures, and renegotiating contracts 
with airport tenants. Revenues from non-aviation sources, including 
updated concessions and new vendor contracts, have nearly equaled 
revenues from aviation sources. In fact, leading investment rating 
agencies have rewarded LAX with their highest ratings for a stand-alone 
airport.
  Even in adversity, Mr. Driscoll worked to maintain quality in service 
and operations. He was at the reins of LAWA during a major dispute 
between the City of Los Angeles and the airlines over landing fees. 
During litigation at LAX, he revived the dormant, 12-year-old plans to 
build new terminals at Ontario International Airport. With Mr. 
Driscoll's direction, this $270-million project was completed four 
months ahead of schedule and $26 million under budget. These new 
terminals put ONT in position to bring regional solutions to meet 
Southern California's ever-growing air transport needs and made it the 
only airport in the region with new facilities to do so.
  In addition, Mr. Driscoll initiated the LAX Master Plan, a long-term 
process to guide development of LAX to meet air passenger and cargo 
demands for the next 20 years. Since 1992, LAX has become the third 
busiest passenger airport in the world and the second busiest air cargo 
airport in the world.
  To offset this growth, Mr. Driscoll committed LAWA to undertake major 
noise reduction and management programs, including nearly $500 million 
in programs for residential soundproofing

[[Page S12253]]

and compatible land-use; recycle water programs; and a variety of clean 
air programs, including alternative-fuel vehicles and traffic 
mitigation. All of these programs have received awards from 
environmental organizations and regulatory agencies for outstanding 
achievement.
  I wish Jack Driscoll well and thank him for his contribution towards 
improving Southern California's aviation gateway.

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