[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 163 (2017), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 12368-12369]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




IN CELEBRATION OF JAMES W. PARISH AS 2017 AVIATION PROFESSIONAL OF THE 
                                  YEAR

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. THOMAS J. ROONEY

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 28, 2017

  Mr. THOMAS J. ROONEY of Florida. Mr Speaker, I rise today to 
celebrate the accomplishments of James W. Parish, executive director of 
the Punta Gorda Airport, who was recently recognized as the 2017 
Aviation Professional of the Year by the Florida Department of 
Transportation.
  Every year, the Florida Department of Transportation honors one 
executive member of the aviation community with the title of Aviation 
Professional of the Year. The recipient is selected based on the 
management and logistical organization of their airport, as well as the 
safety and technological advancements that take place under their 
watch.
  Mr. Parish earned this award because of the impressive progress that 
the Punta Gorda Airport has made under his leadership and his overall 
contributions to the Charlotte County community. During his tenure in 
Punta Gorda, Mr. Parish elevated the airport from one that only served 
the general aviation community to one that now offers commercial 
services and has brought over $200 million dollars into the local 
economy while serving over 1 million customers. Under his guidance, the 
airport has modernized and streamlined its safety protocols while still 
maintaining a low-cost business model.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate Mr. Parish and thank him 
for all that he has done for the Punta Gorda community. He is truly

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deserving of the Aviation Professional of the Year award, and I am 
honored to represent him in Congress.

                          ____________________