[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 11]
[Senate]
[Page 14375]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO BRUCE F. MUNDIE

 Mr. SARBANES. Mr. President, I wish to pay tribute today to 
Bruce Mundie, Director of the Office of Regional Aviation Assistance 
for the Maryland Aviation Administration. Bruce is retiring after a 
distinguished career serving the public and the aviation community and 
I would like to extend my personal congratulations and thanks for his 
tremendous public service.
  When the next chapter in Maryland's aviation history is written, 
Bruce Mundie's name is likely to figure prominently as one of the key 
leaders who helped make the sky more accessible and greatly improved 
Maryland's air transportation infrastructure. Over the past 17 years, 
Bruce has worked tirelessly to enhance aviation at Maryland's 34 
regional general aviation airports and more than 100 private airports. 
Among his many other accomplishments, Bruce was instrumental in the 
development of the Maryland Aid to Private Airports program, the 
Maryland Airport Equipment Loan Program, and the Maryland Airport 
Managers Association. He also introduced the innovative system of using 
automated weather stations, allowing for the institution of all-weather 
commercial service at eight new airports. In addition, he oversaw the 
replacement of 27 visual approach slope indicators that violated FAA 
standards and introduced new units that will save Maryland 95 percent 
of the cost of new equipment.
  I have had the privilege of working closely with Bruce since he was 
first appointed to the Maryland Aviation Administration. Over the years 
we worked to bring a new control tower to Salisbury-Ocean City-Wicomico 
Regional Airport, expand the runways at Hagerstown, Garrett County, and 
Carroll County Airports, and create a bi-state compact for the Greater 
Cumberland Regional Airport, to name just a few projects. In every 
instance, Bruce exhibited an extraordinary commitment to elevating 
airport efficiency and safety standards in Maryland.
  But Bruce's passion for flying and aviation was not just exemplified 
in his work. As a founding member of Opportunity Skyway, Bruce 
introduced programs that target students at risk of dropping out of 
school, benefiting citizens across the State and allowing students to 
pursue their interests in aviation. He has worked to integrate aviation 
into school curriculums through an aerospace workshop for teachers 
entitled ``Take It to the Top.'' Bruce also contributed to area 
institutions of higher education, teaching Aviation Management at the 
University of Maryland Eastern Shore.
  Bruce's contributions and accomplishments to aviation and public 
service have been recognized numerous times with prestigious honors, 
including his National Association of Aviation Officials Distinguished 
Service Award in 2000. He also received the Distinguished Flying Cross 
in Vietnam and left the service a Lieutenant Colonel after a 26-year 
career in the United States Air Force.
  It is my firm conviction that public service is the highest calling, 
one that demands the most dedicated efforts of those who have the 
opportunity to serve their fellow citizens and country. Throughout his 
career Bruce has exemplified a firm commitment to meeting this demand, 
constantly and tirelessly devoting his energy to improving Maryland 
airports and the community through his education initiatives that have 
fostered local interest in aviation and encouraged adolescents to 
remain in school.
  It has been a pleasure working with a man who has followed his 
passion to make aviation safer, more efficient, and accessible to young 
people. I want to extend my personal congratulations and thanks for his 
years of hard work and dedication and wish him the best in his future 
endeavors.

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