[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 63 (Thursday, May 16, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Page S4488]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   CONGRATULATIONS TO GERALD K. OLSON

 Mr. DORGAN. Mr. President, I rise today to congratulate Gerald 
K. Olson on becoming the new Chairman of the American Association of 
Airport Executives.
  One of the most rewarding aspects of being a United States Senator is 
that I frequently have the opportunity to meet wonderful people who 
were born and raised in North Dakota and are making a difference in 
people's lives through their chosen profession. Although he may no 
longer reside in our great State, Jerry Olson is one of those 
individuals that North Dakotans are proud to call one of their own.
  Jerry grew up on a farm eight miles southwest of Minot where his 
parents still live and he graduated from the University of North Dakota 
in 1982. Although the aviation department started out with just two 
small aircraft and two faculty members, what is now known as the John 
D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences has evolved into one of the 
great aerospace programs in the country.
  It should not surprise anyone that Jerry Olson had a hand in shaping 
that successful program when he was a student in Grand Forks and when 
he later managed airports in Williston, ND and Cheyenne, WY. During his 
entire professional career, Jerry has been a strong advocate for 
continuing education and has spent a great deal of his time helping and 
nurturing students studying airport administration at the University of 
North Dakota.
  For approximately twenty years, Jerry has also worked hard to improve 
air service for those who live in small communities in North Dakota, 
Wyoming and around the country. People in rural areas who are fighting 
for better access to the commercial aviation system have no better 
advocate than Jerry Olson. And despite all the contributions he has 
made to aviation over the years, I suspect Jerry's most proud of the 
fact that he is a dedicated husband and father.
  I know I speak on behalf of all North Dakotans when I thank Gerald K. 
Olson for his service and congratulate him on becoming the new chairman 
of the American Association of Airport Executives.

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