MN Congressman And DET Advocate Honored For Their Work In
GA
At a banquet on the
last night of AOPA Expo 2005, the Aircraft Owners and Pilot's
Association recognized two individuals who each have made great
contributions to both local and national general aviation
causes.
Euel Kinsey, AOPA Airport Support Network volunteer at Coleman
A. Young/Detroit City Airport (DET) in Detroit, MI was recognized
Saturday night for his work in helping to preserve the airport by
awarding him the 2005 Laurence P. Sharples Perpetual Award, the
most prestigious award given by AOPA to a private citizen.
AOPA told Aero-News the award recognizes great and selfless
commitment to GA by a private individual.
"Euel is a great example of an Airport Support Network
volunteer," said AOPA President Phil Boyer. "His efforts
resulted in greater awareness of Detroit City Airport's importance
in the community, and the importance of general aviation
nationwide."
In Detroit, Kinsey (below) faced down the mayor of the
nation's 6th largest city who proposed a citywide budget that cut
about 18 of the 23 jobs on the airport and provided no future
monetary support for it. Kinsey mounted a full-fledged
political and media campaign, educating the city council about the
airport's importance to Detroit and particularly its financial
benefits in light of the recent All Star Game and upcoming Super
Bowl -- even in the face of budget and staff cuts.
Throughout his fight, Kinsey -- an attorney and aircraft owner
-- became a local fixture on radio and newspaper in the Detroit
area. In the end, Kinsey was successful in persuading the Detroit
City Council to veto the mayor's planned budget -- a nearly
unprecedented occurrence.
Also recognized at the AOPA event was 15-term US Congressman
James L. Oberstar (D-MN), winner of the J.B. "Doc" Hartranft Award
for his work in the 109th congress helping to preserve airports.
The award is AOPA's highest honor for a government official.
"Jim has been a friend of AOPA's for many years and is
recognized by his peers and by the aviation community as an
aviation expert," said AOPA President Phil Boyer. "As the
Ranking Member of the US House of Representatives Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure, Jim has an influential role and
has served the aviation community well."
According to AOPA, Oberstar's leadership in passing landmark
legislation over the years has included the General Aviation
Product Liability Reform bill, numerous multi-year aviation funding
bills such as the historic AIR-21 and VISION-100 measures that
dramatically increased federal funding available for important
improvements and protections of GA airports. Oberstar (above)
has been tenacious in acting to ensure that much-needed resources
paid into the aviation trust fund reach GA airports across the
country.
Oberstar -- previously recognized by the AOPA ASF for his
advocacy of aviation safety -- has also been "a voice of reason" in
the fury of opinion and emotion throughout the Washington D.C.
ADIZ-incursion debate.