Pat Roberts Honored For Efforts To Block User Fees

In a Tuesday morning ceremony in Wichita, KS the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association presented US Senator Pat Roberts (R-Kansas) with its highest honor, the Joseph B. "Doc" Hartranft Award.

AOPA says Roberts was selected "for his tireless advocacy of the general aviation community, particularly his efforts to block a user fee proposal."

Senator Roberts, a member of the Senate Finance Committee, fought to win an agreement on the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization Bill with the Senate Commerce Committee that eliminated the proposed fee.

The Joseph B. Hartranft, Jr., "Doc" Award, named for AOPA's first employee, long-time president and former chairman of the board, is given annually to either an elected or appointed individual in government -- federal, foreign, state, or local -- who has made significant contributions to the advancement of general aviation.

Recipients of the award are outstanding advocates of general aviation. Their selection is based on one action or a series of actions resulting in a benefit to general aviation in the areas of utilization, safety, facilities, operation, regulation, education or information.

FMI: www.aopa.org, http://roberts.senate.gov/public/