[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 192 (Thursday, December 17, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E3043]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    HONORING LARRY KELLNER, CHAIRMAN AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF 
                       CONTINENTAL AIRLINES INC.

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. JOHN ABNEY CULBERSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 16, 2009

  Mr. CULBERSON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Larry Kellner, 
chairman and chief executive officer of Continental Airlines Inc, the 
world's 5th largest airline. In May 2001, Larry Kellner was elected 
president of the airline and to the Board of Directors, and in March 
2003, he was named president and chief operating officer. In December 
2004, Mr. Kellner became chairman and chief executive officer, where he 
has promoted international growth at Continental Airlines and has 
fostered the company's unique culture, putting emphasis on strong 
internal communication and giving employees the tools to provide 
outstanding customer service.
  Throughout Mr. Kellner's 14-year career at Continental, the company 
has won more awards for customer satisfaction than any other airline. 
In 2009, FORTUNE magazine ranked Continental the No. 1 airline on their 
annual airline industry list of ``Most Admired Global Companies'' for 
the 6th consecutive year. Continental Airlines also employs 41,000 
system-wide and nearly 12,000 in Houston, Texas.
  Prior to joining Continental, Mr. Kellner was executive vice 
president and chief financial officer of American Savings Bank, owned 
by The Robert M. Bass Group. Prior to that, he was executive vice 
president and chief financial officer of The Koll Company, a private 
real estate investment and construction firm.
  Kellner graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor of science in 
business administration from the University of South Carolina, where he 
served as Student Body President. In addition, the University of South 
Carolina presented him with the Distinguished Alumni Award in 1998.
  Mr. Kellner is active in numerous community and civic organizations. 
He currently serves on the board of directors for Marriott 
International and the Air Transport Association. On the civic front, he 
is a member of the board of directors for the Methodist Hospital, YMCA 
of Greater Houston, the Greater Houston Partnership, the Spring Branch 
Education Foundation, and Central Houston, Inc., and is a member of the 
Boy Scouts of America National Executive Board. Mr. Kellner also serves 
on the advisory boards of the March of Dimes and Teach for America, and 
is on the development board of the University of Texas Health Science 
Center at Houston. He resides in Houston with his wife, Susan, and 
their four children.
  After more than 14 years at Continental Airlines and 5 years as its 
CEO, Mr. Kellner will leave the company at the end of 2009 and will 
head Emerald Creek Group, LLC, a new private investment firm based in 
Houston.
  Congratulations to Larry Kellner for his many achievements throughout 
his career at Continental Airlines and the best of luck in his future 
endeavors.

                          ____________________