[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 131 (Tuesday, July 27, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E822-E823]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
HONORING THE LIFE OF GEORGE PRATT HOWARD
______
HON. JOE COURTNEY
of connecticut
in the house of representatives
Tuesday, July 27, 2021
Mr. COURTNEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask the Members of the
House to join me in mourning the passing of one of our Nation's
foremost experts on aviation safety and infrastructure, George
``Pratt'' Howard of Deep River, Connecticut. Known as Peter to family
and friends--he passed away at his home in Deep River on January 30,
2021. Peter has moved on from this world but his spirit of love for his
neighbors and community will never dissipate, and will continue to
inspire us to put the public good above personal ambition or gain, and
always treat one another with compassion and care.
Born in New York City's Greenwich Village--Peter spent most of his
childhood in the city and absorbed the cultural and community diversity
in the big apple that would positively influence his creative and
artistic mind later in life. An avid student and passionate learner--
Peter left the city after high school to earn a
[[Page E823]]
degree in economics from the University of Virginia before returning to
the city to acquire a master's in business administration from New York
University. Following university, Peter decided to pursue a career in a
field that he had a true passion for--aviation. With that, Peter joined
the Air Force where he gained firsthand knowledge of aviation as he
worked with some of the most advanced military grade technology to
exist in that time from 1952 to 1955. After receiving significant
experience in the ins and outs of aviation in the Air Force, Peter
began a life-long journey in the civilian aviation space serving in
leadership positions in several organizations including Director of
Marketing for Eastern Airlines, and Chief of Economics/Asst. Director
for Policy and External affairs for the port authorities of both New
York and New Jersey.
In 1989, Peter landed a job that would allow him to have a direct
impact on aviation policy in our nation--he became the new executive
director of the Airport Operators Council International. In this role,
he worked tirelessly in his advocacy of policy and procedural changes
to improve the safety and effectiveness of American airports. His
expertise was highly valued by all his colleagues and was often sought-
after by policy makers. Proof of this can be seen in countless news
media interviews and multiple testimonies he gave in Congressional
hearings. In his work with Congress, he played a critical role in the
Aviation Safety and Capacity Expansion Act of 1990. Since passage, this
legislation has raised over $60 billion for airports in supporting
passenger safety. Peter's work with aviation policy was truly light
years ahead of his time as he understood that with increased air
traffic and globalization--safety would need to become a number one
priority for American airline companies and our domestic security
apparatus. Peter was steadfast in his commitment to our nation's
aviation industry and his efforts have inspired others to continue the
mission of ensuring that our air travel procedure always meet the most
comprehensive safety standards.
Outside of the field of aviation, Peter was also an accomplished art
historian who always used his wealth of knowledge to educate and
enlighten anyone who was interested in the field. This included
municipal governments and non-profit organizations in New York and
Connecticut who used Peter's insights to expand their community arts
and historical preservation programs. As a New York Resident, Peter was
always active in his community and even became President of the
Brooklyn Heigh association from 1967 to 1969. As President--Peter was
one of the driving forces in the passage of New York's landmark law
which resulted in Brooklyn Heights becoming the first designated
Historic district in New York City.
Later in life--Peter moved to Deep River and officially became a
resident of Connecticut. As a Deep River resident, Peter tirelessly
contributed to this historic Connecticut river town whose rich history
and high quality of life he passionately championed. He offered his
public policy expertise as an adviser to the Board of Selectman, and
the town greatly benefitted from his creative solutions to complex
problems, without incurring the high cost of consultants. I also recall
Peter's tremendous efforts in establishing the town's first Design
Advisory Board for which he became its first chairman. In this role, he
organized and executed art galleries for the town that displayed local
artwork, including artwork from students at the local high school. He
would also work together with the rest of the board to review and
critique ideas for development in the town put together by the Planning
& Zoning Commission. What Peter did for art and historical preservation
in every community he lived in is truly remarkable.
Madam Speaker, it was an honor to represent a constituent as caring
and compassionate for his community and Nation as Peter, who's
dedication to our community and the town of Deep River went far beyond
his service in local government. As a longtime friend and supporter of
my work as a congressman, I always enjoyed talking to Peter and picking
his brain on experiences he had with the U.S. Congress in the past and
his well-informed opinions on current events, both at home and abroad.
Even in his free time, he went the extra mile to enhance the community,
from personally landscaping at the Veteran's Garden to helping design
the local town pharmacy. Although his memory will live on through
countless others, including his wife of 50 years, Sukey Howard, his
three daughters, Connie, Kitty, and Ginger, his four grandchildren, and
one great grandson, our eastern Connecticut community owes him an
immeasurable level of gratitude. To that end, I ask that my colleagues
and this Chamber join me in expressing our deepest condolences to the
Howard Family and setting Peter Howard's name further into stone.
____________________