[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 160 (Thursday, October 2, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Page S10481]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      RECOGNIZING LARRY G. SALYERS

 Mr. ROCKEFELLER. Mr. President, I wish today to congratulate 
Larry G. Salyers on his years of service as the manager of Tri-State 
Airport. Larry's hard work and continuous efforts have greatly enhanced 
this important regional airport as well as the community it serves. I 
am honored to have served with him and to share his story with you 
today.
  In December 1975, Larry began working at the airport as Director of 
Operations and Security. He exhibited extraordinary dedication and hard 
work and, in March 1980 he was promoted to assistant airport manager. 
In 1981, he was named acting manager and by May 1982 he was appointed 
as the airport manager.
  Under Larry's leadership, the airport has experienced many positive 
changes. He has overseen numerous structural renovations in Tri-State's 
terminal design and the conditions of the runways. At present, the 
airport is in the process of a major runway extension which will allow 
Tri-State to continue its reputation for excellence for many years to 
come. Larry has also diligently worked to ensure that the airport has 
the best maintenance vehicles and equipment possible.
  Throughout his long service, Larry has seen Tri-State Airport through 
some of the aviation industry's hardest times. He has seen the 
deregulation of the industry which left many small communities across 
the country with significantly diminished air service. The September 11 
terrorist attacks also had enormous repercussions throughout the 
aviation business as many airlines went into bankruptcy and new 
security measures were required at all the Nation's airports. Tri-
State, like many small airports across the country, is often the first 
to feel the pain during trying times for the aviation industry and the 
last to recover. Despite these challenges, Larry was able to 
successfully keep everything going, and I am pleased to say that in 
recent years, Tri-State Airport has seen significant financial and 
passenger growth. Between 2006 and 2007, passenger traffic increased by 
62 percent, and the airport is currently producing its highest boarding 
numbers in over 13 years. Much of this success can be directly 
contributed to Larry's efforts to bring Allegiants Air's low-fare 
flights to the airport. This accomplishment has helped Tri-State 
Airport to contribute roughly $50 million annually to the local 
economy.
  The hard work and dedication of Larry Salyers personifies the 
attitude of America and the true nature of West Virginians. When he 
retires, he will have left Tri-State Airport and the region around the 
city of Huntington better than it was when he first began his career 
there over 33 years ago.

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