[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 96 (Thursday, June 14, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1294]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING DAVID NEELEMAN ON HIS ACCOMPLISHMENTS AS FOUNDER AND CEO OF 
                            JETBLUE AIRWAYS

                                 ______
                                 

                     HON. LOUISE McINTOSH SLAUGHTER

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 14, 2007

  Ms. SLAUGHTER. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to take the opportunity to 
honor a dear friend, David Neeleman, on his distinguished 
accomplishments as Founder and CEO of JetBlue Airways.
  I got to know David shortly after he formed JetBlue in 1999. At the 
time, airline service to and from Rochester was among the most 
expensive in the country. My constituents often went out of their way 
to fly from cheaper airports like Toronto or Montreal. Business 
travelers advised that economic growth in Rochester was limited by a 
lack of affordable flights to New York City.
  David immediately recognized the potential of the Rochester market 
for an affordable airline. He and I worked closely to bring JetBlue to 
Rochester in the summer of 2000, and we have since worked together to 
expand JetBlue service in upstate New York. In its first year operating 
out of Rochester, JetBlue saved flyers $12.5 million. JetBlue's 
success, in turn, brought additional low-cost carries to Rochester and 
strengthened the regional economy. JetBlue has become New York State's 
biggest intrastate air carrier in and the largest domestic airline at 
New York's JFK International Airport.
  David formed JetBlue with the goal of offering passengers low fares, 
friendly service and a high quality product. His success speaks for 
itself. Consumer Reports recently named JetBlue the number one airline 
for customer service. The company has been ranked number one in quality 
and overall performance of U.S. airlines for 3 consecutive years by the 
University of Nebraska at Omaha Aviation Institute and W. Frank Barton 
School of Business at Wichita State University. JetBlue was also rated 
``Best Domestic Airline'' at Conde Nast Traveler's 2006 Readers' Choice 
Awards, the fifth consecutive year receiving the award.
  I was saddened to learn that David decided in May to step down from 
running the airline every day as CEO to focus on more long-term 
strategic initiatives for JetBlue as chairman of the board. I credit 
David for fostering new economic growth in upstate New York, and having 
the savvy-entrepreneurial skills to build an airline that makes flying 
fun again. David has assured me that he will remain a very active 
chairman of the board and that JetBlue's finest days are ahead.
  David has been a loyal friend to me and the people of upstate New 
York. I would like to honor him for his tremendous success as founder 
and CEO of JetBlue, and I wish him the very best in his tireless 
pursuit to bring humanity back to airline travel.

                          ____________________