Political Quotes

“the National Aviation Capacity Expansion Act is not just a bill about expanding O'Hare International Airport, it is about relieving congestion for the entire air transportation system in the United States, of which obviously O'Hare is an integral part. I fought hard and testified several times to make sure this bill includes a provision asking the FAA to consider utilizing existing airports that are capable of immediately reducing congestion and delays at our Nation's major airports. In the Chicago region, that airport is the Greater Rockford Airport. Passage of this legislation ensures that Rockford Airport will be able to offer its vast resources, which include: $150 million of recent infrastructure improvements; a 10,000-foot runway that can land any jet aircraft today as well as an 8,200-foot runway; a category III Instrument Landing System; a Glycol Detention and Treatment Facility; an upgraded taxiway system; an FAA 24-hour traffic control tower; it is the present home to United Parcel Service's second largest hub in the Nation; a modern passenger terminal immediately capable of handling 1 million emplaned passengers annually, and room for 3 million with a modest investment, and capacity for up to 15 million passengers a year; unconstrained airspace; the ability to relieve up to 20 percent of O'Hare's originating passengers; and all only 1 hour's distance from Chicago.”