[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 15]
[House]
[Pages 19689-19691]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




      CONGRATULATING CONTINENTAL AIRLINES ON ITS 75TH ANNIVERSARY

  Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
agree to the resolution (H. Res. 631) congratulating Continental 
Airlines on its 75th Anniversary.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 631

       Whereas Continental Airlines was founded 75 years ago by 
     Walter T. Varney and his partner Louis Mueller as Varney 
     Speed Lines in West Texas primarily as a mail service;
       Whereas, on July 15, 1934, Continental's first flight was 
     flown by its precursor Varney Speed Lines on a 530-mile route 
     from Pueblo, Colorado to El Paso, Texas with stops in Las 
     Vegas, Santa Fe and Albuquerque, New Mexico;
       Whereas during World War II, Continental Airlines built the 
     Denver Modification Center where it modified B-17 Flying 
     Fortresses and B-29 Super Fortresses for the United States 
     war effort;
       Whereas during the Vietnam War, Continental transported 
     United States troops across the Pacific and as a result of 
     this experience, in 1968 Continental formed Air Micronesia--
     the first step towards global airlines;
       Whereas in 1999, Continental named the first woman in the 
     Nation to head a major commercial airline pilot group;
       Whereas, on October 11, 2000, Continental Airlines and 
     Northwest Airlines launched the world's largest interline 
     eTicket network;
       Whereas in 2001, Continental Airlines was again named 
     ``Airline of the Year'' by the aviation industry's monthly 
     trade publication, Air Transport World. As recipient of the 
     same honor in 1996, Continental became the first airline to 
     receive the coveted ``Airline of the Year'' distinction twice 
     in five years;
       Whereas following the terrorist attacks on September 11, 
     2001, Continental offered special compassion fares to and 
     from the New York area to assist family members of the 9/11 
     victims, relief organizations and volunteers;
       Whereas, on April 26, 2002, Continental was recognized for 
     offering the best Elite Level Program, OnePass, of any United 
     States airline, according to Inside Flyer's 14th Annual 
     Freddie Awards Competition;
       Whereas, on September 29, 2003, Continental became the 
     first airline to offer three of the most popular business 
     applications, two-way e-mail, instant messaging and text 
     messaging, on its fleet of 737, 757, and MD 80 aircraft;
       Whereas, on February 7, 2005, Continental was named for the 
     eighth consecutive year to HISPANIC Magazine's ``Hispanic 
     Corporate 100: One Hundred Companies Providing the Most 
     Opportunities for Hispanics'';
       Whereas, on April 28, 2005, Continental received honors for 
     companywide excellence in Aviation Maintenance Training from 
     the Federal Aviation Administration. Continental earned the 
     FAA Diamond Certificate of Excellence for Aviation 
     Maintenance Training, the highest award offered as part of 
     the organization's Aviation Maintenance Technician Award 
     Program;
       Whereas, on June 29, 2006, Continental ranked the highest 
     in Customer Satisfaction among Traditional Network Carriers 
     in North America in the J.D. Power and Associates 2006 
     Airline Satisfaction Index Study marking Continental's sixth 
     customer satisfaction award by J.D. Power and Associates 
     since 1996;
       Whereas for the 10th consecutive year, Continental 
     outranked all of its United States competitors in 
     international business class and domestic first class 
     service, according to the results of a survey of Conde Nast 
     Traveler readers published in the magazine's October 2007 
     edition;

[[Page 19690]]

       Whereas in 2007, Continental Airlines teamed with the 
     Transportation Security Administration to be the first United 
     States carrier to launch a paperless boarding pass pilot 
     program that allows passengers to receive boarding passes 
     electronically on their cell phones or PDAs;
       Whereas in April 2008, Continental Airlines received an 
     award from the United States Environmental Protection 
     Agency's Design for the Environment Program in recognition of 
     the airline's use of an environmentally friendly, nonchromium 
     surface pretreatment for its aircraft. Continental was the 
     first commercial air carrier to use this technology on its 
     aircraft;
       Whereas for the fifth consecutive year, Continental was 
     named the ``Best Airline in North America'' at the 2008 OAG 
     Airline of the Year Awards;
       Whereas for the sixth consecutive year, Continental was 
     rated the top airline on FORTUNE magazine's annual airline 
     industry list of World's Most Admired Companies in March 
     2009; and
       Whereas Continental Airlines currently services five 
     continents with more than 2750 daily flights and more than 
     260 destinations today, employing more than 43,000 men and 
     women: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) recognizes the 75th anniversary of operations by 
     Continental Airlines; and
       (2) congratulates the employees of Continental Airlines for 
     the numerous awards and accolades they have earned for the 
     company over the years.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Texas (Mr. Gene Green) and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Barton) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Gene Green).


                             General Leave

  Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that 
all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their 
remarks.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Texas?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas. I yield myself as much time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of House Resolution 631, 
which congratulates Continental Airlines for their 75th anniversary.
  Once known as the ``proud bird with the golden tail,'' Continental 
Airlines was founded 75 years ago this July by Walter T. Varney and his 
partner, Louis Mueller, as Varney Speed Lines in West Texas. While 
Varney Speed Lines was primarily a mail service, their first flight on 
July 15, 1934, was a 530-mile route from Pueblo, Colorado, to El Paso, 
Texas, with stops in Las Vegas, Santa Fe and Albuquerque, New Mexico.
  In 1937, the company's name changed to Continental Airlines, and they 
moved their headquarters to Denver, Colorado, where, just a few years 
later, during World War II, they built the Denver Modification Center 
where they modified B-17 Flying Fortresses and B-29 Super Fortresses 
for the U.S. war effort. Continental also assisted our military during 
the Vietnam War by transporting American troops across the Pacific 
Ocean.
  The company's dedication to our country was again illustrated when, 
following the terrorist attacks on September 11, Continental offered 
special compassion fares to and from the New York area to assist family 
members of the 9/11 victims, relief organizations and volunteers.
  Throughout all of this, Continental Airlines experienced tremendous 
success, and it has emerged from extreme difficulties during its 75-
year history to become the fifth-largest carrier in the United States 
and the 11th-largest in the world. With more than 43,000 employees, 
Continental has hubs in New York, Houston, Cleveland, and Guam. 
Together with its regional partners, it carries approximately 67 
million passengers each year.
  Flying the newest, most fuel-efficient jet fleet of all the major 
U.S. network carriers, Continental Airlines received an award in April 
2008 from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Design For the 
Environment program in recognition of the airline's pioneering and 
environmentally friendly aircraft equipment. But this is just one of 
several accolades that has been bestowed upon Continental during its 75 
years.
  Other awards include being rated the top airline for 6 consecutive 
years in Fortune magazine's annual airline industry list of the World's 
Most Admired Companies, outranking for 10 consecutive years all of the 
U.S. competitors in international business class and domestic first-
class service, according to the results of a survey of Conde Nast 
Traveler readers. And for six times since 1996, it has ranked the 
highest in customer satisfaction among the traditional network carriers 
in North America, according to J.D. Power and Associates. These are 
just a few of the awards out of several.
  The resolution recognizes the 75th anniversary of Continental 
Airlines, and it congratulates its employees for the numerous awards 
and accolades they've earned over the years. I am honored to represent 
many Continental employees in Houston, their home office, and I 
strongly encourage my colleagues to support this legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. BARTON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 631, which congratulates 
Continental Airlines on its 75th anniversary.
  I want to commend Congressman Green for introducing the resolution. I 
am proud to be a Republican supporter of that. As one of three Texas-
based airlines, with Continental in Houston, Texas, with Southwest in 
Dallas, Texas, and with American Airlines in Fort Worth, Texas, we're 
very proud of the airline industry in our State. We're very proud that 
Continental is celebrating its 75th anniversary. It is the embodiment 
of the American Dream.
  As Congressman Green pointed out, it was established back in 1934 in 
West Texas, in El Paso. Over the last 75 years, it has evolved into one 
of the largest commercial airlines in the world. It serves 260 
destinations with more than 2,700 flights on 5 continents. It has been 
named the best airline in North America. They employ over 43,000 men 
and women, some of whom work and live in my congressional district. I 
would like to recognize them for their accomplishment. I look forward 
to Continental's celebrating their 100th, their 125th and maybe even 
their 150th anniversary in the years ahead.
  Again, I want to thank Mr. Green for bringing this resolution 
forward, and I would ask all of the Republicans on this side of the 
aisle to join me in supporting the resolution.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my 
time.
  Mr. BARTON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I would yield 2 minutes to the 
gentleman from Houston, Texas (Mr. Culberson).
  Mr. CULBERSON. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my friend Mr. Barton and 
also Mr. Green from Houston. We, all of us, in Texas take great pride 
in representing Continental Airlines. It's an extraordinary group of 
people, dynamic individuals who have created one of the best airlines 
in the Nation.
  Even though they have been through bankruptcy twice, Mr. Speaker, 
they have shown what is one of the greatest attributes of what it means 
to be an American, which is how you conduct yourself when you pick 
yourself up, get back on your feet and get back to work. The people at 
Continental have emerged from bankruptcy as one of, again, the best 
airlines in the Nation. Their consumer satisfaction rating has always 
been among the very best in the Nation as well as their on-time status. 
They have, I think, set a gold standard for the Nation.
  It's a source of great pride for me to represent the headquarters of 
Continental, and all of those fine people deserve the thanks of the 
Nation. Air travel is such an essential part of our Nation's economic 
vitality, and Continental Airlines has, time and again, shown that they 
are among the world's best airlines. Again, as I say, they have set the 
gold standard for the United States.
  So I join with my colleagues. This is another example of how the 
whole Texas delegation works together, arm

[[Page 19691]]

in arm. What's good for Texas, of course we understand, is good for 
America. We are immensely proud to be here to congratulate Continental 
because they represent all that's great about Texas, which means they 
represent all that's great about America.
  Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the 
balance of my time.
  Mr. BARTON of Texas. May I inquire as to how much time I have 
remaining, Mr. Speaker? How much time do I have left?
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman has 17 minutes remaining.
  Mr. BARTON of Texas. Whoa, a lot of time. Okay.
  I want to yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from The Woodlands, Texas 
(Mr. Brady).

                              {time}  1400

  Mr. BRADY of Texas. I thank Ranking Member Barton.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 631, which I 
sponsored with my good friend Congressman Gene Green of Texas, to 
congratulate Continental Airlines and its exceptional employees on the 
company's 75th anniversary this year.
  Continental got started in 1934 in El Paso, Texas, going on to aid in 
the war efforts by working to expand its services domestically. Now 
headquartered in Houston, Texas, with hubs in Cleveland, Ohio, and 
Newark, New Jersey, Continental has grown to become the fifth largest 
carrier in the world, and in my mind, the best.
  This followed one of the most successful business turnarounds in 
history after it restructured in the 1990s. Continental's impressive 
climb is a tribute to the outstanding leadership, dedicated employees, 
and excellent service to travelers.
  Today, Continental remains a major employer in the Houston area and a 
valued airline. I hear often from satisfied travelers about the quality 
of the company's service and commonsense approach to operation. As a 
Million Mile traveler, I can personally attest to the quality and 
professionalism of the crew and staff of Continental Airlines, and I 
may add, a number of my neighbors are proud employees--pilots, 
attendants, managers--within the Continental system.
  I ask my colleagues to join me today in congratulating Continental 
for its remarkable achievement and contributions to America.
  Mr. BARTON of Texas. I yield 3 minutes to another gentleman from 
Houston, Texas (Mr. Poe).
  Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I, too, rise in support of this 
resolution. Along with my friends who have already spoken, we fly 
Continental every week. Sometimes there are up to 10 Members of 
Congress on the same flight either going back to Texas or coming from 
Houston to Reagan National. And I represent probably most of the 
Continental employees in the Houston area, since my district circles 
the airport; although, it doesn't include the airport. Something about 
redistricting, I believe, Mr. Green.
  But be that as it may, great people, great airline. As my friend, Mr. 
Brady, has mentioned, the employees are topnotch, from the flight 
attendants to the pilots, in the way they treat not only people who fly 
but the way they treat other people. And I commend Continental Airlines 
for their success over the years. It is the best airline.
  Many years ago, they merged with a little bitty airline called Trans-
Texas Airways, and I was one of those that wanted them to adopt the 
name Trans-Texas Airways after Continental merged with Trans-Texas. But 
they eliminated the ``Trans-Texas'' phrase and adopted the phrase 
``Continental,'' which has served them much better because it is an 
intercontinental flying community and do a super job.
  And I, too, commend the good work they've done and the tenacious 
employees that work, not only in the planes but on the ground, the 
mechanics, and the ramp crews. And so I congratulate them, and I 
appreciate my friend from Texas offering this resolution.
  Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I will continue to reserve.
  Mr. BARTON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, let me simply say that I fly 
American more than I fly Continental, but I wish I could--having heard 
the glowing accolades, I do fly Continental some, and I wish they would 
serve the D/FW area more so I could fly them. I'm very proud of my 
American Airlines employees and my Southwest employees, but I'm also 
proud of the Continental employees that we have, and we do sincerely 
commend Continental and their workers and management for being the 
great airline that it is, and we wish them 75 years of future success 
in addition to congratulating them on 75 years of their past success.
  With that, I yield back the balance of our time.
  Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I will be brief, and I want to 
thank my colleagues on the Republican side for coming to speak for the 
resolution.
  Continental is like all of our airlines. It has problems, but they 
survived and they're going to grow, and we want to make sure they 
continue to do it, and that's why we recognize 75 years of success. And 
like my colleague said, the ranking member of Energy and Commerce, 
another 75 would be 150. It will be someone else here recognizing them 
for 150 years. I want to thank the employees of Continental for making 
it a great airline.
  Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, It is with great pleasure that I 
commend Continental Airlines on its 75th anniversary. I would also like 
to thank my colleague the Honorable Gene Green for introducing this 
resolution and I am honored to be a cosponsor. Continental Airlines is 
an outstanding company that has grown internationally without losing 
sight of the people they serve.
  Since the founding of Continental Airlines, the company has 
consistently served the community. In July of 1934 the company Varney 
Speed Lines was created in West Texas by Walter T. Varney and Louis 
Mueller primarily as a mail service. During World War II, they built 
the Denver Modification Center in Houston, where workers modified B-17 
Flying Fortresses and B-29 Super Fortresses to assist in the war 
effort. Today, Continental Airlines' main headquarters are in Houston 
and their main hub is located there as well at George Bush 
Intercontinental Airport.
  Continental Airlines has also been a pacesetter in diversity among 
airlines. The company named Deborah McCoy the first woman in the Nation 
to head a major commercial airline pilot group in 1999. In 2005, 
Continental was ranked among HISPANIC Magazine's ``Hispanic Corporate 
100: One Hundred Companies Providing the Most Opportunities for 
Hispanics'' for the eighth year in a row. Continental Airlines has also 
been named to the Corporate Diversity Honor Roll in Latin Business 
magazine
  Continental has exemplified a dedication to customer service. 
Following the September 11th attacks, Continental offered special 
compassion fares to and from the New York area to assist family members 
of the September 11th victims, relief organizations and volunteers. 
Continental was the first airline to offer three of the most popular 
business applications on its fleet of 737, 757, and MD 80 aircraft: 
two-way e-mail, instant messaging and text messaging. The airline has 
also been awarded six Customer Satisfaction awards by J.D. Power and 
Associates since 1996.
  Despite its global presence, Continental Airlines has maintained a 
personal relationship with its customers that is rivaled by many and 
surpassed by none. I would again like to congratulate Continental 
Airlines on 75 years of service and wish them many more years to come.
  Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas. I yield back my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Serrano). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Gene Green) that the House 
suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 631.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________