Says Noise Comparable To Being In A Soccer Stadium

Comparing the sound of commercial airliners roaring over homes in the Lennox area near Los Angeles International Airport, to the noise of screaming soccer fans (??? -- Ed.) on Thursday outgoing FAA Administrator Marion Blakey announced a grant of $6 million to soundproof approximately 300 homes in the area. The text of Ms. Blakey's speech is below.

Thank you very, very much, and good afternoon. I want to thank Principal [Lisett] Pichardo and the staff at Felton Elementary for hosting us today. You know, I have to confess. I’ve been out of school for a while now, but I still get a bit nervous around principals.

Even still, I’m glad to be here. I appreciate Congresswoman Harman’s invitation to come see all the great things that are happening in her district. Thanks for the chance to get out of DC for a spell.

I have to say, the 3,000 miles that separate the coasts just seem to melt away when you’re up there in a plane. Just ask the Congresswoman. She’s made this trip, oh, once or twice before; she knows what I’m talking about.

Know who else you can ask? David Beckham. Yeah, that David Beckham.

He made the very same journey earlier this month when the Galaxy flew to the nation’s capital to take on D.C. United.

I tell you, the stadium was rocking. It was completely sold out. Not a seat to be had.

And man, was it loud. I mean deafening. Every time number 23 touched the ball, the place erupted into cheers.

A couple of weeks after that match, the scene shifted here for an important playoff game between the two teams. Beckham scores his first goal for the Galaxy. They win, and the cheers could be heard for miles.

Well, for the people who live here in Lennox, everyday must seem like they’re in the middle of a packed stadium.

The airplane noise, coupled with the sounds of everyday life well, it can sometimes be too much to bear.

Even still, it’s important to remember that an airport is a community’s crown jewel. I say that all the time, and you’ve got a real gem right here. LAX is responsible for pumping 60 billion dollars into Southern California’s economy a year. The latest employment figures show that 59,000 jobs are directly attributed to the airport.

In all, one in twenty jobs in Southern California come courtesy of LAX.

All of this economic activity means there’s a lot of planes up there. All across America, travelers are taking to the skies in numbers we haven’t seen in a long time. More planes mean more noise. But it doesn’t have to mean more acrimony.

So to help keep the peace, I’m pleased to announce that the FAA is providing $6 million to Lennox to soundproof about 300 homes. The money’s going to be used to install thicker windows, heavier doors, attic insulation — whatever it takes to bring the decibels down to acceptable levels.

Once all the work is said and done, more than 700 residents who live within the confines of Century Boulevard, Prairie Boulevard, the Century Freeway and La Cienega will be sleeping a little bit sounder. And I do believe that some of these residents are with us today. Some teachers at Felton — Alex Carrera, Issa Hernandez, Maria Larios, and Marvelyn Garcia.

They grew up in the community that they now work in. And they know quite well the challenges that come with living and working under the flight path. Well, I’m glad that the FAA could do something to help turn the volume down.

I want to acknowledge Congresswoman Harman over here for seeing this grant money through from beginning to end. It’s a pleasure to see her in action for the folks in California’s 36th district. Thanks very much for having me.

FMI: www.faa.gov, www.lawa.org