[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.

                          ____________________