[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 1]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 976]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   COMMEMORATING THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ANTONIO B. WON PAT GUAM 
                    INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. MADELEINE Z. BORDALLO

                                of guam

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, February 1, 2016

  Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate 
the staff and management of the Antonio B. Won Pat Guam International 
Airport Authority (GIAA) on their 40th anniversary of service to the 
people of Guam. The Guam International Airport Authority has grown 
steadily over the past 40 years and has played a vital role in the 
development of Guam, especially success of the island's visitor 
industry over the past 40 years. When the Guam Airport first began, all 
airport business was handled as a division of the Guam Department of 
Commerce. In 1976, the GIAA became a government agency through the 
enactment of Guam Public Law 13-57. During this period of the airport's 
history, Pan American Airways, Continental Air Micronesia and Japan 
Airlines were the only airline carriers to service Guam and utilize the 
facilities.
  The Guam International Airport Authority has made tremendous progress 
over the last 40 years and has become a critical transportation hub in 
the Asia-Pacific region. GIAA has facilitated the growth of Guam's 
economy and visitor industry. Guam's tourism economy relies heavily on 
GIAA facilities for a positive passenger experience when traveling to 
Guam. The airport has added two terminal buildings with the second and 
current terminal completed in September 1998 as part of a $241M 
expansion and construction project. This is the single largest 
improvement project competed by the Government of Guam.
  As the airport expanded its operations, additional airline carriers 
began service out of Guam. In 1981, Continental Micronesia added 
flights to Japan and Northwest Airlines began regularly scheduled 
services. In 1983, All Nippon Airways (ANA) began charter flights to 
Guam and then opened their international services three years later. 
Continental Air Micronesia introduced direct air service between Guam 
and Hong Kong in 1984. Soon after in 1986, the United States Congress 
passed the Omnibus Territories Act to include visa waivers for several 
countries and expanded the doors for more tourism arrivals. The GIAA 
passed its ``one million passenger'' mark in 1988 and was renamed the 
``Antonio B. Won Pat Guam International Air Terminal'' after Guam's 
first Delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives. Soon after in 
1990, Korea was granted a visa waiver and Continental Air Micronesia 
began air services in Seoul and expanded flights in Japan. In 1995, 
GIAA took on more responsibility when it became the only commercial 
airport on Guam with the closure of Naval Air Station. With increased 
services in the Asian region, Guam was ranked the 4th top U.S. gateway 
to and from Asia and Australia in 1999. Growth and expansion continued 
for the GIAA after the turn of the new millennium and in 2007, the 
airport's total economic contributions were totaled at $1.7 billion 
with 20,440 jobs generated.
  The Guam International Airport Authority has continued expanding with 
cargo and other facilities while practicing its duties as a responsible 
neighbor and community partner. Anticipating the needs of an increased 
tourism economy and the growth associated with the military 
realignment, the airport undertook these efforts to prepare for 
increased cargo traffic on Guam. Further, a multimillion dollar noise 
mitigation program was implemented for houses in the area beginning in 
2009. Air services have expanded even more with increased flights in 
the region on new and existing expanding airlines. GIAA has continued 
to provide consistent service and good facility throughout the 
turbulent history of airline mergers. The airport has also adapted to 
welcome Russian tourists when President Obama instructed DHS to allow 
them to visit Guam without a visa in 2014. The airport has kept high 
standards for itself to ensure the safety of its patrons and the people 
of Guam. In 2014, the 1st Cycle of the Airport's Aircraft Rescue and 
Fire Fighting Division was installed.
  While the airport has made major achievements in the last 40 years, 
the GIAA leadership continues to look to growth in the future. In 2014, 
they began a capital improvement program with plans to further enhance 
their facilities that will provide nearly $167 million of economic 
activity into the local economy. I look forward to continue working 
with GIAA to ensure that they are provided with federal funding to 
support their future growth and facilities enhancements. Our airport is 
a critical link in our entire island's economy.
  Again. I congratulate Antonio B. Won Pat Guam International Airport 
Authority and commend its leadership and all employees for their 
contributions to our local community and throughout the Asia-Pacific 
region. I thank and commend all of the GIAA's tenants and partners for 
their commitment to the airport and the community of Guam. I join the 
people of Guam in recognizing the GIAA on their 40th anniversary and I 
look forward to their future contributions and success.

                          ____________________