Illinois Congressman Chairs Aviation Subcommittee

Airports Council International-North America (ACI-NA) honored Rep. Jerry F Costello (D-IL) with the 2008 Commissioners Congressional Leadership Award for his ongoing support of the aviation industry. The formal presentation took place March 13 on Capitol Hill at the 2008 ACI-NA Commissioners Leadership Reception.

Rep. Costello chairs the Aviation Subcommittee of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. He has been a member of Congress for six terms and is also in his sixth term on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.

“We are honored to award Rep. Costello with this year’s Commissioners Congressional Leadership Award,” said Jim Ethridge, Chair of ACI-NA’s Commissioners Committee and Board member of the Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority. “The airport and aviation community are grateful for Chairman Costello’s leadership and support on critical airport issues this past year, including his efforts to increase the Passenger Facility Charge user fee to $7.00 and to authorize the Airport Improvement Program at historic levels, as proposed in the House-passed FAA Reauthorization legislation, H.R. 2881. In addition to his leadership on FAA Reauthorization, Chairman Costello continues to work tirelessly to ensure America’s aviation system remains the safest aviation system in the world.”

ACI-NA states over 200 airport executives were in Washington, DC this week to attend the airport industry’s Spring Legislative Conference and speak to their members of Congress about critical airport issues such as FAA reauthorization. 

The Commissioners Leadership Reception raised nearly $18,000 towards the ACI-NA Commissioners Scholarship Fund, which recognizes students with high academic achievement working toward a career in airport management or airport operations.

The Commissioners Scholarship will be awarded this spring to three students: Sean Barry, Indiana State University; Angelica Maleskis, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University; and Christopher Adams; University of Lethbridge.

FMI: www.aci-na.org