[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 20]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 28296]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   IN HONOR OF THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SACRAMENTO INTERNATIONAL 
                                AIRPORT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DORIS O. MATSUI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 24, 2007

  Ms. MATSUI. Madam Speaker, I rise in honor of the Sacramento 
International Airport and their 40 year anniversary. In 1967, the first 
flight was flown out of the Sacramento Metropolitan Airport and since 
that time the Airport has become a gateway to Northern California 
destinations and major cities across the United States. I ask all of my 
colleagues to join with me in saluting the 40 years of service provided 
by the Sacramento International Airport.
  Located just northwest of downtown Sacramento, the Sacramento 
International Airport is situated on 6,000 acres of former farmland. 
The Airport was constructed when the region's aviation needs outgrew 
the Sacramento Executive Airport. The $17.8 million dollar project was 
completed in 1967 and in the following year the nearly a million people 
flew on the airport's 5 initial carriers; Delta, Pacific, United, West 
Coast and Western. Since that time airlines have come and gone at the 
airport, but the high level of customer satisfaction remains.
  Over the last 40 years the Sacramento International Airport has made 
great strides to improve its facilities. Nine years ago, the Sacramento 
Metropolitan Airport was officially renamed the Sacramento 
International Airport when it started hosting nonstop flights to Mexico 
and Canada. These international flights were made possible by the 
completion of an International Terminal and Terminal A, which 
represented a stark contrast to the older and outdated Terminal B.
  In 2006, Airport officials announced they would be replacing the 
aging Terminal B with a brand new terminal. Under the leadership of 
Sacramento County Airport System Director Hardy Acree and the 
Sacramento County Board of Supervisors, this modernization of the 
Airport will be complete in 2012. The state-of-the-art facility will be 
equipped with 23 new gates, a 2-level access roadway designed to reduce 
traffic congestion and additional taxiways that will allow aircrafts to 
reach terminals more promptly. All of these features will improve the 
overall efficiency and enjoyment of the traveling experience.
  Forty years after being built, the Airport welcomes more than 10 
million passengers each year and has 2 fully operational runways. It is 
estimated that by 2020, the Airport will serve over 17.7 million 
passengers as a growing regional hub and international transit point. 
With flights to New York City, Washington D.C., Atlanta, Chicago, 
Guadalajara, Mexico City, Vancouver, Ontario, Honolulu, all of 
California's major cities and many more, the airport is an attractive 
option for all Northern California travelers. Thanks to the 
construction of a new 6-story parking garage 3 years ago, the Airport 
now accommodates over 16,000 cars, making the traveling experience more 
enjoyable.
  Madam Speaker, I am honored to recognize the 40 years of growth and 
prosperity at the Sacramento International Airport. In the coming years 
the Sacramento International Airport will continue to expand as an 
international airport and gateway for our region. As the Airport's 
supporters gather to celebrate their 40 anniversary, I ask all my 
colleagues to join me in honoring their storied past and vision for the 
future.

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