[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 13]
[Senate]
[Pages 17402-17403]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      RETIREMENT OF J.J. HAMILTON

  Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, I would like to take this opportunity to 
publicly congratulate J.J. Hamilton on his retirement as Director of 
Aviation at the Burlington International Airport.
  J.J. and I have been friends since our days together at St. Michael's 
College, and it has been a great pleasure working with him over the 
years on aviation, expansion, and economic development issues at the 
airport in Burlington.
  J.J. has been with the airport for 21 years, serving for the past 15 
as its top manager. Under his direction, the Burlington airport has 
been transformed from a sleepy, one-gate operation into an award-
winning, 10-gate facility that is a wonderful gateway to our great 
State of Vermont. The airport has grown to become an important engine 
in our State's economy.
  Perhaps the best words to describe J.J.'s leadership in Burlington 
are ``measured and responsible.'' As head of Vermont's largest airport, 
and one that

[[Page 17403]]

is municipally owned, he has had to delicately balance the urge for 
large-scale expansion with his financial responsibility to the citizens 
of Burlington. When opportunities have arisen to attract new air 
service, J.J. has been careful to make sure that it is sustainable and 
that the airport grows appropriately to meet the new demand. And when 
the airport has sought to expand its business offerings, he has worked 
cooperatively with the neighbors, the National Guard, and the 
businesses that are based at the airport or that rely on the airport to 
outline the significance of the development.
  I am proud to have worked with J.J. and others to bring the 
innovative, low-cost air service to Burlington that has fueled record 
passenger growth at the airport. From JetBlue and Independence Air to 
the parking expansions to the new gates, J.J. has diligently moved 
forward not just to compete with the Albanys and Manchesters of the 
world for passengers, but to make Burlington a destination unto itself.
  I ask unanimous consent that a May 11, 2005, Burlington Free Press 
editorial on J.J.'s accomplishments in Burlington be included at this 
point in the Record.
  There being no objection,the material was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

               [The Burlington Free Press, May 11, 2005]

                          Building An Airport

       J.J. Hamilton has a solid 21-year record at the Burlington 
     International Airport, 16 of them as director, transforming a 
     one-gate operation into today's 10-gate facility that 
     generates $12 million in revenues.
       The growth at the airport has occurred gradually over the 
     years, at a pace that has met Vermont's needs and changing 
     lifestyles. Along the way, Hamilton has been there to make a 
     public pitch for significant improvements such as expanding 
     the parking garage.
       Hamilton has presided over one of the most welcoming and 
     attractive small airports U.S. travelers will ever find. 
     Where else do you find comfortable rocking chairs set up in 
     front of picture windows that look out onto runways and 
     spectacular mountain views? Long lines are rare, and visitors 
     are treated to a taste of Vermont with displays of local art, 
     scenic murals and a well-stocked souvenir shop.
       In 1997, the airport's garage was built and main terminal 
     expanded for $19.9 million; a $25 million expansion was 
     launched five years later. The improvements have encouraged 
     additional airlines to use the facility, securing Burlington 
     International's 2002 distinction as the second-fastest-
     growing airport in the nation.
       Decisions by airlines such as People Express in the 1980s 
     and JetBlue and Independence Air in recent years have added 
     to Burlington International Airport's luster.
       For many years, Vermonters drove to Manchester, N.H., 
     Albany, N.Y., or Boston for cheaper flights out of New 
     England. Today, with several low-cost carriers operating out 
     of Burlington, the expanded 1,651-space garage is often 
     crowded with travelers choosing their home airport.
       This is especially important for a relatively small state 
     like Vermont, where a healthy business climate requires easy, 
     affordable air service--not to mention the revenues linked 
     directly and indirectly to air travel.
       Hamilton's decision to step down as director leaves a void 
     at the airport that might be tough to fill for several 
     reasons.
       First, his careful stewardship has established a high bar. 
     The airport set a record for the most significant growth 
     period in the airport's history during Hamilton's tenure, 
     with nearly 635,000 people boarding flights last year.
       Second, Hamilton's annual salary of $85,885 isn't highly 
     competitive with many similar positions elsewhere in the 
     United States, making it that much harder to recruit the best 
     and brightest to fill his shoes. The director of the Albany 
     International Airport in New York, for example, earns 
     $106,000 annually.
       That is not an unusual problem in Vermont, where salaries 
     tend to lag behind those of more urban areas. More often than 
     not, people accept the lower salary in exchange for a higher 
     quality of life. In some cases, out-of-state applicants 
     argue--successfully--for more money.
       The city ought to be somewhat flexible with the incoming 
     director's salary, but cautiously so. A high wage doesn't 
     guarantee competence.
       Hamilton, 64, has agreed to stay on until his job is 
     filled, and possibly longer. But Vermonters wish him well as 
     he moves on.

  Mr. LEAHY. Again, Mr. President, I want to thank J.J. for his many 
years of dedicated service to the City of Burlington and its airport. 
Marcelle and I wish him and Janet all the best in retirement.

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