[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 128 (Saturday, August 4, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1742]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E1742]]
           TRIBUTE TO ROBERTS FIELD-REDMOND MUNICIPAL AIRPORT

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. GREG WALDEN

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, August 3, 2007

  Mr. WALDEN of Oregon. Madam Speaker, I rise today to share with you 
the storied tradition and history that led to the establishment of 
Roberts Field-Redmond Municipal Airport in Redmond, Oregon. The same 
strong community support that led to the construction and completion of 
the airfield still exists today as the City of Redmond embarks on a 
terminal construction project to further expand air services in the 
beautiful region of central Oregon.
  The origins of the airport date back to the 1920s, when local farmers 
and merchants made a monthly chore of collecting and clearing debris 
from the roads. In the neighboring towns of Alfalfa and Powell Butte, 
farmers did the same until the men met in the middle and the roads 
could once again facilitate trade.
  Madam Speaker, in 1928 discussions of creating an air strip grew 
serious. Members of the Ray Johnson Post of the American Legion in 
Redmond formed an aviation committee and work on an air strip began. 
The September 6, 1928 Redmond Spokesman reported:
  ``A fine, level spot two miles east of town on the Ochoco Highway 
will be cleared immediately of trees and sagebrush . . . the post had 
funds to begin an aviation program that will ultimately develop into an 
up-to-date place for airplanes to land and take off.''
  In 1933, the Department of the Interior decided to lease 
approximately 640 acres southeast of Redmond to the Ray Johnson Post, 
giving them the exclusive rights to develop an airfield there. The Post 
leased the land for $10 a year for 20 years. By 1936 the landing was 
listed as an airfield on most federal maps. The Works Progress 
Administration (WPA) provided critical funding toward rock removal to 
ensure that Roberts Field was safe for take off and landing procedures. 
At the beginning of 1941, the WPA was approached by the War 
Administration with an inquiry on the cost of building a Class III 
airport in Redmond. J.R. Roberts, a local resident and community 
leader, noted at the time that a Class III airport would provide 
substantial improvements to the airport and grant the construction of 
lights, paved runways, hangers, buildings and shops. That message was 
relayed to the WPA and consequently the War Administration and the 
powers in Washington, DC.
  Madam Speaker and fellow colleagues, I can only imagine the surprise 
and the excitement of many residents in Redmond when they awoke one 
morning in February of 1941 to read the following in the Redmond 
Spokesman:
  ``Roosevelt Slaps OK on Airport and reported $717,000 in WPA funds 
approved.''
  In June of 1941 the airport was named after J.R. Roberts as a tribute 
to all of his work and leadership that led to the establishment of the 
airport. Meanwhile, improvements to the airport continued. In October 
of the same year, $318,000 of defense funding was allocated for the 
construction of two runways at Roberts Field. In 1942, the city leased 
the airport back to the government and allowed for the construction of 
a bomber base. When World War II ended, commercial air service was 
established at Roberts Field as J.R. Roberts worked diligently to 
negotiate the return of the airport to city control.

  Madam Speaker, the town's population remained relatively static from 
the 1950s until the 1980s. The building that currently sits on the 
airport site was constructed in 1981 and was 8,000 square feet in size. 
But in the 1990s, Redmond and Deschutes County began to grow. That 
growth exploded from 2000 to 2006, when Redmond's population increased 
by a stunning 74.3 percent, making it Oregon's fastest-growing city and 
one of the fastest-growing communities in the country.
  Under the exceptional guidance and leadership of the current airport 
manager, Carrie Novick, along with Redmond Mayor Alan Unger, the 
Redmond City Council and Redmond City Manager Mike Patterson, Roberts 
Field has kept pace with the rapid growth the region has experienced. 
In 2003 the airport was expanded by 16,000 square feet to a total size 
of 24,000 square feet. Once constructed, the new terminal will be 
140,000 square feet and utilize energy efficient measures to achieve 
its goal of constructing a state-of-the-art building to serve the 
residents of central Oregon for many years to come.
  Madam Speaker, Roberts Field today provides non-stop service to 
Eugene, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Portland, Salt Lake City, San 
Francisco, and Seattle through Allegiant Airlines, Horizon Air and 
United Airlines and Delta Air Lines through services operated by 
SkyWest Airlines. It is the fourth largest commercial service airport 
in Oregon, operating approximately 44 arriving and departing flights 
daily. In 1997, 111,450 passengers boarded flights at Roberts Field; 
last year, 215,163 passengers departed from Redmond.
  Madam Speaker, today's growth and activity at the airport is a 
testament to the farmers, ranchers and merchants who fulfilled the 
vision described in the Redmond Spokesman nearly 80 years ago. On 
August 15, 2007, I will join residents in Redmond to celebrate the 
great success that Roberts Field has enjoyed since it was established. 
That morning we will break ground on a terminal expansion that will 
further enhance the legacy of the Roberts Field-Redmond Municipal 
Airport. It will be an historic event that the next generation will 
look back on as a key step in the region's smart and successful growth.

                          ____________________