On the recordNovember 2, 2023
last week the Senate confirmed Mike Whitaker to be the FAA Administrator. I supported this nomination. He is very qualified. He has very valuable experience. Obviously, this body has had a churn being able to look at previous FAA Administrators who came here and then were turned down in the process, and the administration has put forward someone who, I think, is very, very qualified. So I am pleased to be able to see that. But many people may not know Oklahoma has a very special relationship with FAA, and we have for 70 years. For 70 years, the Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center, which headquarters offices for so many different areas in the aeronautical center, has been in Oklahoma City. That spot has been there, and it establishes things like how to do testing, how to do research, the medical evaluation, occupational health wing, medical certification, a lot of education that happens there for aerospace. Air mobility is being tested there. It is 1,100 acres and 133 buildings, across the airport site there in Oklahoma City, and it is just one of those hidden jewels of the United States that is actually there in Oklahoma City. As each of our States have different aspects and different tasks there, Oklahoma City is very, very proud to be a leader in aviation for the country. There is also a vital component there at the FAA Academy.…





