[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 18]
[House]
[Pages 24778-24780]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE GEORGE BUSH INTERCONTINENTAL 
                       AIRPORT IN HOUSTON, TEXAS

  Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 138) recognizing the 40th 
anniversary of the George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, 
Texas.
  The Clerk read the title of the concurrent resolution.
  The text of the concurrent resolution is as follows:

                            H. Con. Res. 138

       Whereas the George Bush Intercontinental Airport in the 
     City of Houston, Texas (referred to in this resolution as 
     ``IAH''), was first opened for operation on June 8, 1969;
       Whereas in 1997, IAH was named in honor of the Nation's 
     41st President, George Herbert Walker Bush, a longtime 
     resident of Houston who, as a Member of the Houston 
     congressional delegation, was present at the 1969 opening of 
     the airport;
       Whereas IAH is the largest airport in Houston, serving over 
     43,000,000 passengers in 2008, is the 8th-largest airport in 
     the United States and the 16th-largest in the world for total 
     passengers served;
       Whereas more than 700,000,000 people have passed through 
     IAH's gates since its opening;
       Whereas IAH has grown to become a world-class international 
     gateway offering service to more than 109 domestic and 65 
     nonstop international destinations in over 32 countries;
       Whereas in 1990, the City of Houston named the IAH 
     international arrivals building, now the IAH Terminal D, in 
     honor of the distinguished Congressman for the 18th District 
     of Texas, George Thomas ``Mickey'' Leland, a renowned 
     antipoverty activist who died tragically in 1989 while on a 
     humanitarian visit to Ethiopia;
       Whereas IAH operates the largest passenger international 
     arrivals facility in the Nation and was selected by the 
     Department of State and the Department of Homeland Security 
     as the first ``Model Port'' for its efficiency in welcoming 
     international passengers arriving in the United States;
       Whereas IAH is a regional and world leader in air cargo 
     processing, consolidation, and distribution;
       Whereas IAH is a critical component of the Houston economy, 
     supporting more than 151,000 jobs and contributing over 
     $24,000,000,000 in economic benefits to the Houston region; 
     and
       Whereas IAH serves 30 airlines and is the headquarters and 
     major hub for award-winning Continental Airlines, which is 
     celebrating its 75th anniversary in 2009: Now, therefore, be 
     it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
     concurring), That the Congress--
       (1) recognizes the 40th anniversary of the founding of the 
     George Bush Intercontinental Airport; and
       (2) congratulates officials of the George Bush 
     Intercontinental Airport, the Houston Airport System, and the 
     City of Houston, Texas, for the airport's record of excellent 
     service to the citizens of Houston and the national air 
     transportation system.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Illinois (Mr. Costello) and the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Petri) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Illinois.


                             General Leave

  Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks 
and to include extraneous material on H. Con. Res. 138.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Illinois?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Con. Res. 138, 
introduced by the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee).
  The concurrent resolution recognizes the 40th anniversary of the 
George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, Texas, and 
congratulates officials of the airport and the City of Houston for the 
airport's service to Houston's citizens and the national air 
transportation system.
  Houston Intercontinental Airport is the largest airport in Houston, 
serving over 43 million passengers in 2008, and is the eighth largest 
airport in the United States. The airport has grown to become a world-
class international gateway and is a regional and world leader in air 
cargo processing, consolidation, and distribution.
  Finally, the airport supports more than 151,000 jobs and contributes 
over $24 billion annually to the Houston regional economy.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H. Con. 
Res. 138.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. PETRI. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

[[Page 24779]]

  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House Concurrent Resolution 138, 
recognizing the 40th anniversary of the George H.W. Bush 
Intercontinental Airport in Houston, Texas.
  George H.W. Bush Intercontinental, as has been pointed out, is the 
eighth largest airport in these United States and served over 43 
million passengers in 2008 alone. The airport offers flights to over 32 
countries and is the world leader in air cargo processing, 
consolidation, and distribution.
  George H.W. Bush Intercontinental is vital to the economic stability 
of the greater Houston area. The airport contributes almost $24 billion 
in direct benefits to the region and supports more than 151,000 jobs. 
The airport is a valuable part of our national airspace system and is 
very important to the greater Houston area.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in supporting this 
resolution honoring the 40th anniversary of George H.W. Bush 
Intercontinental Airport.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the author of this 
legislation, the gentlelady from Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee).
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. I thank the distinguished gentleman from 
Illinois and as well the chairman and ranking member of the Aviation 
Subcommittee for your leadership on a number of issues that have been 
on the floor of the House today.
  I thank my cosponsors, who realize in this time of a challenging 
economy how important the aviation industry is in being an economic 
engine; how many of our tourists that come to Washington, DC, many 
drive, but many of them fly, and they want to fly on a safe and secure 
system.
  As the chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Transportation Security and 
Infrastructure Protection, Mr. Costello and myself have common 
interests about security and safety, but we also are glad for our 
Nation's airports.
  Our Nation's airports are large and small; they are rural and urban. 
I applaud them all. But I am excited to stand with my colleagues to 
recognize one of the strongest airports in the Nation, the George H. 
Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, Texas, and is the subject of 
this resolution, H. Con. Res. 138 that I authored. I would like to 
thank my cosponsors, Mr. Culberson, Mr. McCaul, Mr. Olson, and Mr. Gene 
Green.
  I sponsored this resolution to acknowledge the importance of airport 
travel and to recognize that this airport in Houston, Texas, is an 
economic engine and to realize that the airport's record of excellent 
service to the citizens of Houston and the national air transportation 
system is deserving of acclamation and applause, for their great 
service has been a critical component of Houston's economy, supporting 
more than 151,000 jobs and contributing over $24 billion in economic 
benefits to the Houston region over a period of time.
  The George Bush Intercontinental Airport in the City of Houston was 
first opened for operation on June 8, 1969, 40 years ago. In 1997, it 
was named in honor of the Nation's 41st President, George Herbert 
Walker Bush, who happens to be a resident, along with his wife, Mrs. 
Bush, of Houston, Texas. He was also a member of the Houston 
congressional delegation, and he was present at the 1969 opening of the 
airport.
  In 1990, the City of Houston named IAH's International arrivals 
building, now terminal D, in honor of my predecessor, Congressman 
Mickey Leland of the 18th Congressional district, who died tragically 
on a humanitarian effort trying to help the starving and ravished 
people of Ethiopia. He was also a figure who cared about people.
  Our airport cares about people. It served over 43 million passengers 
in 2008. It is the eighth largest airport in the United States and the 
16th largest in the world for total passengers served, with more than 
700 million people having passed through its gates since its opening.
  The airport has grown to be worldwide. We are building new terminals 
now. The anchor airline is Continental; but we are open to the many, 
many other airlines, as well as international airlines, because this is 
an international city. Houston is the fourth largest city in the 
Nation, but soon to be in this new census the possibility of being the 
third largest city in the Nation.
  George Bush Intercontinental Airport has 109 domestic and 65 nonstop 
international destinations in over 32 countries. We are a part of the 
economic engine of this great country.
  I would also like to note that George H.W. Bush, since we are 
concerned about being secure, was the President who asked for the Pan 
Am 103 report on the tragedy of Pan Am 103. He asked the Congress to 
establish the Pan Am 103 commission, and that commission was part of 
the effort of being able to respond to that tragedy. George Bush as 
President received both the victims of that tragedy and the report 
while he was in the White House, and our now chairman of the full 
committee, Chairman Oberstar, was then the chairman of the Aviation 
Committee, served on the commission, and this Congress has implemented 
63 of the 64 proposals of that particular commission. That means we 
worked hand-in-glove to help improve airline and airport security.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentlewoman has expired.
  Mr. COSTELLO. I yield the gentlelady an additional minute.
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. In supporting these airlines and supporting 
this airport, we are very pleased that this airport has been the 
recipient of many, many awards and as well many, many thank-you's from 
the employees to the traveling public. We are now in new construction 
for expansion.
  I want to congratulate the City of Houston and the leadership of the 
Houston Intercontinental Airport, named for the 41st President of the 
United States, for providing the kind of economic engine that says to 
the world, we are open, we are friendly, and says to the City of 
Houston, we are your economic engine, too!
  I ask my colleagues to support this legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise before you today in support of House Concurrent 
Resolution 138, Recognizing the 40th anniversary of the George Bush 
Intercontinental Airport in my home city of Houston, Texas. I would 
like to thank my co-sponsors, Representative Culberson, Rep. Gene 
Green, Rep. McCaul, and Rep. Olson.
  I sponsored this resolution to recognize the 40th anniversary of the 
George Bush Intercontinental Airport and congratulate officials of the 
George Bush Intercontinental Airport, the Houston Airport System, and 
the city of Houston, Texas, for the airport's record of excellent 
service to the citizens of Houston and the national air transportation 
system. For their great service has been a critical component of the 
Houston economy, supporting more than 151,000 jobs and contributing 
over $24,000,000,000 in economic benefits to the Houston region.
  The George Bush Intercontinental Airport in the city of Houston, 
Texas was first opened for operation on June 8, 1969. In 1997, it was 
named in honor of the Nation's 41st President, George Herbert Walker 
Bush, a longtime resident of Houston who, as a Member of the Houston 
congressional delegation, was present at the 1969 opening of the 
airport. In 1990, the city of Houston named the IAH international 
arrivals building, now Terminal D, in honor of the distinguished 
Congressman for the 18th District of Texas, George Thomas ``Mickey'' 
Leland, a renowned antipoverty activist who died tragically in 1989 
while on a humanitarian visit to Ethiopia.
  IAH is the largest airport in Houston, serving over 43,000,000 
passengers in 2008, is the 8th largest airport in the United States and 
the 16th largest in the world for total passengers served, with more 
than 700,000,000 people have passed through its gates since opening. 
Our airport has grown to become a world-class international gateway 
offering service to more than 109 domestic and 65 nonstop international 
destinations in over 32 countries, and today remains a regional and 
world leader in air cargo processing, consolidation, and distribution.
  The George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston operates the 
largest passenger international arrivals facility in the Nation and was 
selected by the Department of State and the Department of Homeland 
Security as the first ``Model Port'' for its efficiency in welcoming 
international passengers arriving in the United States.

[[Page 24780]]

  Bush Intercontinental is located approximately 23 miles north of 
downtown Houston, near the Sam Houston Tollway (Beltway 8 North). The 
airport is operated and maintained by the City of Houston Department of 
Aviation. The Houston Airport System functions as an enterprise fund 
and does not burden the local tax base for airport operations, 
maintenance or capital improvements. IAH currently ranks 3rd in the 
United States among U.S. airports with scheduled non-stop domestic and 
international service (over 170 destinations). With more than 29 
destinations in Mexico, IAH offers service to more Mexican destinations 
than any other U.S. airport. Furthermore, this airport is the 8th 
busiest airport in the U.S. for total passengers. For these reasons and 
more we ask for my colleagues to support this bill.
  Mr. PETRI. Mr. Speaker, at this time I yield such time as he may 
consume to our hardworking colleague from the greater Houston area in 
the State of Texas, Representative Peter Olson.
  Mr. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, I also would like to thank Chairman Costello 
and Ranking Member Petri for all your hard work to get this resolution 
to this point.
  In June of this year, George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston 
celebrated its 40th anniversary. Intercontinental is the largest 
airport in Houston and served more than 43 million passengers in 2008, 
making it the eighth largest airport in the United States and the 16th 
largest airport in the world.

                              {time}  1400

  Serving as Houston's gateway to the world, Intercontinental operates 
one of the largest international passenger arrival facilities in our 
country. With five terminals and 125 gates, Intercontinental gives 
passengers the option of service to over 170 nonstop destinations in 
more than 30 countries around the world. It is one of few airports in 
the world with five, five, air carrier runways, and the ability to 
handle triple simultaneous takeoffs and landings in all sorts of 
weather.
  Intercontinental is a key driver for the greater Houston area 
economy. The airport supports more than 151,000 jobs and contributes 
more than $24 billion in economic benefits to the Houston region. Bush 
Intercontinental Airport is an important part of keeping the goods and 
people moving around our great nation and the entire world.
  I ask that my colleagues join me in supporting House Concurrent 
Resolution 138 and recognizing Intercontinental's 40th anniversary.
  Mr. OBERSTAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this legislation, H. 
Con. Res. 138, introduced by the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson-
Lee), which recognizes the 40th anniversary of the George Bush 
Intercontinental Airport in Houston, Texas, and congratulates officials 
of the airport and the City of Houston for the airport's service to 
Houston citizens and the national air transportation system. I thank 
Representative Jackson-Lee for her leadership on this measure.
  Houston Intercontinental Airport is the eighth largest airport in the 
United States, serving over 43 million passengers in 2008. The airport 
offers 109 domestic and 65 nonstop international destinations in over 
32 countries by 30 airlines. More than 700 million passengers have 
travelled through the airport since it opened in 1969. Furthermore, the 
airport contributes more than 151,000 jobs and $24 billion in economic 
benefits to the Houston region. For air cargo, the airport is a 
regional and world leader in processing, consolidation, and 
distribution.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H. Con. Res. 138.
  Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. 
Con. Res. 138, which honors the George Bush Intercontinental Airport 
for its 40 years of outstanding service to the residents of Houston, 
TX, and to travelers from around the world.
  Since it first opened in 1969, Bush Intercontinental Airport has 
transported over 700,000,000 passengers to more than 170 U.S. and 
international destinations, making it one of the largest airports in 
the world. This, in turn, has generated tremendous economic benefits 
for the greater Houston area. Travelers to the region account for more 
than $20 billion in annual sales. The airport also employs over 30,000 
Houston-area residents and has created over 120,000 additional jobs in 
local industries. Many of these employees live in our district.
  Bush Intercontinental Airport has likewise served as a hub for cargo 
shipments to the U.S. and Latin America. For four years in a row, the 
airport has received Air Cargo World's ``Air Cargo Excellence Award'' 
for its facilities. It now handles more than 300,000 tons of freight 
annually, and this figure continues to grow. In November, the airport 
plans to open a new import facility for perishable freight, which will 
expand business in temperature and time-sensitive products.
  Together with the Port of Houston, Bush Intercontinental Airport has 
helped to make Houston a truly international city and one of the 
leading ports of entry and export in the country. It serves as a model 
of success in international travel and shipping, and this level of 
accomplishment should be acknowledged.
  I urge my colleagues to support House Concurrent Resolution 138 
recognizing the 40th anniversary of George Bush Intercontinental 
Airport.
  Mr. PETRI. I have no further requests for time. I urge my colleagues 
to support this resolution.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, we have no further requests for time. I 
urge my colleagues to support this legislation.
  I yield back the balance of our time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Costello) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res. 138.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the concurrent resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________