Rep. Leonard Boswell, D-IA speaks to PAC supporters about GA and AOPA

By ANN Reporter Juan Jimenez

The AOPA Political Action Committee held a reception Friday at the Marriott Hotel adjacent to the convention center where AOPA Expo 2003 was being held. The reception was by invitation only, and was meant to act as an opportunity for Phil Boyer and the PAC staff to thank their loyal contributors.

After Phil Boyer welcomed the guests and thanked them for their invaluable help in making AOPA PAC as effective as it is, he introduced the guest speaker for the night, Rep. Leonard Boswell, D-IA.

Rep. Boswell is one of general aviation's staunchest supporters in Congress. He is a pilot, aircraft owner and a champion of GA causes.

Quite a Background

Rep. Boswell's biography is as colorful as his personality. He joined the Army as a private in 1956 and retired as a Lieutenant Colonel twenty years later after serving two tours in Vietnam as an assault helicopter pilot. He also served two NATO tours of duty in Europe, first for four years in Germany, and later three years in Portugal.

He is the recipient of two Distinguished Flying Crosses, two Bronze Stars, the Soldier's Medal, and numerous other awards and decorations earned during his service to the country. Rep. Boswell owns a Comanche, which he admits he doesn't fly as much as he would like to due to a busy congressional schedule and duties.

The next high note of the evening was served up courtesy of Hal and Sandy Shevers, owners of Sporty's Pilot Shop, when they presented Phil Boyer with a check for the maximum permissible amount that private citizens can donate to a PAC.

FMI: http://www.house.gov/boswell/index.htm, www.sportys.com, www.aopa.org