[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 101 (Thursday, July 1, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1278]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  BENJAMIN R. DeCOSTA, GENERAL MANAGER, CITY OF ATLANTA DEPARTMENT OF 
                                AVIATION

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JOHN LEWIS

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, July 1, 2010

  Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize a 
great public servant of Metro Atlanta and the international aviation 
community.
  For 12 years, Mr. Benjamin R. DeCosta has led the City of Atlanta's 
Aviation Department and successfully managed Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta 
International Airport--the world's busiest passenger airport. Located 
in my congressional district, this outstanding internationally-
recognized transportation center employs more than 56,000 people and 
generates more than 400,000 jobs and $23.5 billion in Metro Atlanta's 
economy. Recently, Mr. DeCosta announced that he will be leaving 
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
  I am proud to have known and worked with Mr. DeCosta for over a 
decade. Whenever I call Ben and his staff about national aviation 
policy issues and the impact on Hartsfield-Jackson--I could always 
expect an honest, thorough, and researched answer. Ben successfully led 
the effort to open a 5th runway, the Maynard H. Jackson, Jr. 
International terminal, a consolidated rental car center, and upgrades 
to the central passenger terminal complex. He also managed to award 
almost 40 percent of contracts that were part of this $6 billion 
capital improvement initiative to women- and minority-owned businesses.
  Consumed with improving customer service and setting higher standards 
for passengers, Ben has led the airport's team in making the entire 
experience smoother for those traveling, to, from, and through 
Hartsfield-Jackson. For example, we worked together to improve the 
security screening processes at the airport. Now the passenger wait 
times average less than 10 minutes; the lines may be long, but they 
move. He also brought numerous retailers to the airport; on both sides 
of the security check points, you can find great food and shopping for 
whatever your needs may be while you wait.
  It has not been easy; many would have walked away a long time ago. 
Somehow, Ben rose to the challenge. The aviation community took notice 
of his successes. Last year, the National Forum of Black Public 
Administrators (NFBPA) recognized him as the recipient of the 2009 
prestigious National Leadership Award. In 2007, Airport Revenue 
Magazine voted him Best Director. Under his leadership, Hartsfield-
Jackson was recognized as the World's Most Efficient Airport for three 
consecutive years, the world's top airport with Wi-Fi connectivity, and 
the Executive Traveler's Best Large U.S. airport.
  Ben came to Atlanta from New York where he worked for the Port 
Authority of New York and New Jersey and served as the general manager 
of Newark International Airport. He earned a physics undergraduate 
degree from Queens College and a Juris Doctor degree from New York Law 
School, and continued his studies as part of a senior executive program 
for local and state governments at the John F. Kennedy School of 
Government at Harvard University.
  I would like to thank Mr. DeCosta for his service, dedication and 
success to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and the 
Metro Atlanta community. I wish him and his family continued success 
and happiness in the next chapter of his great career.

                          ____________________