[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 67 (Tuesday, May 6, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E686]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  RECOGNIZING LEO SCHEFER ON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT FROM THE 
                     WASHINGTON AIRPORTS TASK FORCE

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                          Tuesday, May 6, 2014

  Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise with my colleagues, Representatives 
Wolf and Moran, to recognize Leo J. Schefer on the occasion of his 
retirement after serving more than 25 years as President of the 
Washington Airports Task Force. Mr. Schefer was a founding member of 
the Task Force, and during his distinguished career, both he and the 
Task Force have been instrumental in collaborating with the residents, 
employers, and elected leaders throughout the National Capital Region 
to promote growth at the two major airports and to foster economic 
development benefitting the entire region.
  A native of the United Kingdom, Mr. Schefer was trained as an 
aeronautical engineer with the well-known airplane manufacturer 
Vicker's Armstrong Aircraft. He also worked for the aviation company 
BAE, formerly British aerospace, and played a role in its growth here 
in the U.S. during the 1980s. Mr. Schefer also helped introduce the 
first jet service to some of our nation's smaller airports, to secure 
U.S. landing rights for the Concorde supersonic transport, and to 
facilitate Europe's participation in the NASA Space Shuttle program.
  Through his work with the Task Force, Mr. Schefer has worked 
tirelessly to promote the interests of Washington National Airport and 
Dulles International Airport. Those efforts have supported increased 
competition among the airlines and a 50 percent increase in passenger 
trips at National Airport. The growth at Dulles, which had been 
underutilized, has been more dramatic during that time. When the Task 
Force began, total passenger trips totaled 2.6 million with just 
362,000 international passengers annually. Thirty years later, 
international trips totaled nearly 7 million with total passengers 
topping 22 million. Without question the Task Force, and Mr. Schefer's 
dogged yet gentlemanly efforts, have played a key role in that success.
  During Mr. Schefer's tenure, the Task Force was actively engaged in 
fostering the bilateral Open Skies agreements with Canada and the 
European Union, which have increased international passenger travel and 
economic development opportunities. The Task Force also collaborated 
with the regional Congressional delegation and local leaders following 
the terrorist attacks of 9/11 to re-open National Airport. It also 
worked with the Smithsonian Institution, the aviation industry, and 
regional leaders to lure the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, the National 
Air and Space Museum's spectacular second facility, to Dulles 
International Airport.
  In addition, the Task Force and Mr. Schefer have been key partners in 
the efforts to build public support for and advance the Dulles Rail 
project. Washington, D.C., is the only OECD capital to not have a mass 
transit connection to its premier international gateway. We are pleased 
to report the first phase that project will open later this year, 
nearly 50 years after it was first envisioned, and we look forward to 
joining Mr. Schefer for its inaugural voyage.
  Mr. Schefer's many contributions to our region and the aviation 
industry have been recognized by the National Aeronautical Association, 
the Smithsonian Institution, the Top-Side Aviation Club, Aviation Week, 
and leading organizations from across the National Capital Region.
  Mr. Speaker, we ask our colleagues to join us in thanking Mr. Schefer 
for his invaluable contributions to the aviation industry and the 
National Capital Region and in wishing him well in his retirement. We 
have every confidence that through his leadership, the Task Force is 
well positioned to continue as a strong partner for the region's 
airports and our economy for many years to come.

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