E302 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks March 14, 2000 drinking water delivery options. Only 8.3% We urge you to support H.R. 1695. of Aviation’s efforts to acquire Ivanpah Val- said they would rather have their drinking Sincerely, ley land for an airport; and be it further water from a water utility company. This legis- JEFFREY GOODELL, Resolved, that the Las Vegas Chamber of Vice President, Government Affairs. Commerce as the representative of more lation gives consumers the ability to pay for than 6,000 member businesses in Southern new or refurbished individual household water Nevada, encourages the House of Representa- well systems with convenient monthly pay- AMERICAN ASSOCIATION tives to pass H.R. 1695, providing the Bureau ments, like other utility bills. OF AIRPORT EXECUTIVES, of Land Management with the authority to Alexandria, VA, March 3, 2000. It is my understanding, Mr. Speaker, that or- sell the identified land in the Ivanpah Valley Hon. JAMES GIBBONS, ganizations like the National Ground Water to Clark County; and be it further U.S. Representative, Cannon House Office Resolved, that copies of this Resolution be Association, a group that has a long and dis- Building, Washington, DC. transmitted to Nevada’s Congressional dele- tinguished record preserving and protecting DEAR REPRESENTATIVE GIBBONS: The U.S. gation. America's precious ground water resources, House of Representatives will shortly be con- DONALD L. ‘‘PAT’’ SHALMY, strongly endorses this legislation. It is my sidering H.R. 1695, which would permit Clark President General Manager. hope that other organizations and commu- County, Nevada to purchase 6,500 acres of federal land in the Ivanpah Valley for a fu- nities that support common sense, innovative ture commercial airport site. Your support, MIRAGE RESORTS, approaches to providing affordable, safe water and that of your colleagues, is critical to en- Las Vegas, NV, March 1, 2000. to rural Americans will also endorse the Af- suring the continued economic vitality of Hon. JAMES GIBBONS, fordable Drinking Water Act of 2000. Southern Nevada well into the 21st Century. U.S. Representative, Cannon House Office I urge my colleagues to support this legisla- Passenger traffic at McCarran Inter- Building, Washington, DC. tion that provides a cost-effective alternative to national Airport has been increasing for the DEAR CONGRESSMAN GIBBONS: The U.S. House of Representatives will shortly be con- meeting the drinking water needs of rural past 16 consecutive months. During that pe- riod, passenger enplanements have risen by sidering HR 1695 which would permit Clark America. over 11 percent. Continued growth, at even a County, Nevada to purchase 6,500 acres of moderate rate, will bring the Airport to its federal land in the Ivanpah Valley for a fu- f effective capacity by 2012. The Clark County ture commercial airport site. Your support, Department of Aviation estimates it will and that of your colleagues, is critical to en- IVANPAH VALLEY AIRPORT suring the continued economic vitality of PUBLIC LANDS TRANSFER ACT take at least seven years to plan, design and construct the new airport. I think you will Southern Nevada well into the 21st Century. agree that prompt congressional action is Passenger traffic at McCarran Inter- SPEECH OF critical. national Aiport has been increasing for the The Ivanpah Valley is the best location for past 16 consecutive months. During that pe- HON. JIM GIBBONS a future second airport to serve the Las riod, passenger enplanements have risen by OF NEVADA Vegas metropolitan area. The proposed loca- over 11%. Continued growth, at even a mod- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES tion is 35 miles from the heart of the Las erate rate, will bring the Airport to its effec- tive capacity by 2012. The Clark County De- Thursday, March 9, 2000 Vegas valley, between Jean and Prim, Ne- vada. Also, it is bounded by Interstate High- partment of Aviation estimates it will take at least seven years to plan, design and con- The House in Committee of the Whole way 15 and main line of the Union Pacific struct the new airport. I think you will agree House on the State of the Union had under Railroad, giving the new airport excellent and essential multimodal/intermodal surface that prompt congressional action is critical. consideration the bill (H.R. 1695) to provide The Ivanpah Valley is the best location for access opportunities. for the conveyance of certain Federal public a future second airport to serve the Las lands in the Ivanpah Valley, Nevada, to Thank you again for your support and as- sistance. If further information is desired, Vegas metropolitan area. The proposed loca- Clark County, Nevada, for the development tion is 35 miles from the heart of the Las please do not hesitate to contact Randall H. of an airport facility, and for other purposes: Vegas valley, between Jean and Prim, Ne- Walker, Director of Aviation at (702) 261–5150. vada. Also, it is bounded by Interstate High- Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Chairman, I include the Sincerely yours, way 15 and main line of the Union Pacific following letters of support for H.R. 1695, the TODD HAUPTLI, Railroad, giving the new airport excellent Ivanpah Valley Airport Public Lands Transfer Senior Vice President for and essential multimodal/intermodal surface Policy and Government Affairs. Act. access opportunities. AIRPORTS COUNCIL Thank you again for your support and as- INTERNATIONAL, LAS VEGAS sistance. If further information is desired, Washington, DC, March 7, 2000. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE please do not hesitate to contact Randall H. DEAR MEMBER OF CONGRESS: Airports RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF IVANPAH AIRPORT Walker, Director Aviation at (702) 261–5150. Council International-North America urges LAND SALE Sincerely yours, your strong support of H.R. 1695, the Ivanpah Whereas, visitors from outside the state di- PUTNAM MATHUR. Valley Airport Public Lands Transfer Act. rectly and indirectly account for more than This legislation would enable the Clark half the state’s economic activity thereby MGM GRAND, County, Nevada Department of Aviation to constituting the economic lifeblood of Ne- Las Vegas, NV, March 1, 2000. buy 6,500 of federal land for a new airport to vada; and Hon. JAMES GIBBONS, serve Las Vegas. Whereas, airline passengers constitute U.S. Representative, Cannon House Office The number of air passengers traveling in nearly 50% of the visitors to the Las Vegas Building, Washington, DC. the United States in expected to increase Valley and this percentage is likely to in- DEAR CONGRESSMAN GIBBONS: The U.S. from less than 700 million to over a billion in crease as Las Vegas adds to its presence as a House of Representatives will shortly be con- just a few short years. We need to add air- gateway for international travelers; and sidering HR 1695 which would permit Clark port capacity across the nation to accommo- Whereas, McCarran International Airport County, Nevada to purchase 6,500 acres of date this growth. has a capacity to handle 55 million pas- federal land in the Ivanpah Valley for a fu- Air traffic at Las Vegas McCarran Inter- sengers annually. In 1999, over 33.6 million ture commercial airport site. Your support, national airport grew 11 percent last year passengers used McCarran and growth pro- and that of your colleagues, is critical to en- alone, creating the prospect of significant fu- jections indicated the Airport could reach its suring the continued economic vitality of ture delays if new runway and terminal fa- capacity by the end of this decade; and Southern Nevada well into the 21st Century. cilities are not built. Las Vegas is currently Whereas, having explored numerous op- Passenger traffic at McCarran Inter- the tenth busiest airport in the nation with tions, the Clark County Department of Avia- national Airport has been increasing for the connections to over 50 other cities. Delays in tion believes the Ivanpah Valley offers the past 16 consecutive months. During that pe- Las Vegas will mean delays in other cities as only feasible location for a second airport to riod, passenger enplanements have risen by well. service commercial air cargo and passenger over 11%. Continued growth, at even a mod- The FAA Reauthorization package agreed traffic; and erate rate, will bring the Airport to its effec- to by the conferees this week provides air- Whereas, the County has committed to pay tive capacity by 2012. The Clark County De- ports with much of the funding they require the Bureau of Land Management fair market partment of Aviation estimates it will take to meet tomorrow’s needs. In order for this value for the property, conduct an airspace at least seven years to plan, design and con- important work to be done, airports such as analysis to minimize overflights of the Mo- struct the new airport. I think you will agree Las Vegas must be able to overcome the en- jave National Preserve, and draft a thorough that prompt congressional action is critical. vironmental opposition to their expansion Environmental Impact Statement prior to The Ivanpah Valley is the best location for projects. Existing airports all across the na- initiating construction of the Ivanpah Valley a future second airport to serve the Las tion are facing congestion in terminals and Airport; now, therefore, be it Vegas metropolitan area. The proposed loca- on runways. New airport capacity is needed Resolved, the Las Vegas Chamber of Com- tion is 35 miles from the heart of the Las today. merce endorses and supports the Department Vegas valley, between Jean and Primm, and
VerDate 13
is bounded by Interstate Highway 15 and ment of Aviation to fulfill its mission of SOUTHERN NEVADA BUILDING & main line of the Union Pacific Railroad, giv- never allowing the lack of airport infrastruc- CONSTRUCTION TRADES COUNCIL, ing the new airport excellent and essential ture to be an impediment to people coming Las Vegas, NV, March 2, 2000. multimodal/intermodal surface access oppor- to visit Las Vegas, the Grand Canyon or Hon. JAMES GIBBONS, tunities. other destinations in this region. I would U.S. Representative, Cannon House Office Thank you again for your support and as- like to thank you for your efforts to date re- Building, Washington, DC. sistance. If further information is desired, garding this legislation and would encourage DEAR CONGRESSMAN GIBBONS: The U.S. please do not hesitate to contact Randall H. you to continue to make every effort to seek House of Representatives will shortly be con- Walker, Director of Aviation at (702) 261–5150. passage this session. sidering HR1695 which would permit Clark Sincerely yours, Legislation of this type is visionary and County, Nevada to purchase 6,500 acres of WILLIAM J. HORNBUCKLE, will help ensure a bright future for Southern federal land in the Ivanpah Valley for a fu- President and Nevada. ture commercial airport site. Your support, Chief Operating Officer. Sincerely, and that of your colleagues, is critical to en- JAMES B. GIBSON, suring the continued economic vitality of Mayor. Southern Nevada well into the 21st Century. DEL WEBB CORPORATION, This bill is very important to the construc- Henderson, NV, March 1, 2000. tion industry and is strongly supported by Hon. JAMES GIBBONS, HOTEL EMPLOYEES & RESTAURANT the Southern Nevada Building and Construc- U.S. Representative, 100 Cannon House Office EMPLOYEES INTERNATIONAL UNION, tion Trades. Building, Washington, DC. Washington, DC, March 7, 2000. Passenger traffic at McCarran Inter- DEAR CONGRESSMAN JIM GIBBONS: As you Hon. SHELLEY BERKLEY, national Airport has been increasing for the are well aware, the House of Representatives past 16 consecutive months. During that pe- will shortly consider H.R. 1695, which will Longworth House Office Building, Washington, DC. riod, passenger traffic has risen by over 11%. permit Clark County, Nevada to purchase Continued growth, at even a moderate rate, DEAR CONGRESSWOMAN BERKLEY: On behalf 6,500 acres of federal land in the Ivanpah Val- will bring the Airport to its effective capac- of the Hotel Employees and Restaurant Em- ley for a future commercial airport site. ity by 2012. The Clark County Department of ployees International Union I want to con- I’m writing to encourage your support, and Aviation estimates it will take at least seven vey support for enactment of H.R. 1965, the that of your colleagues, for this important years to plan, design and construct the new Ivanpah Valley Airport Public Lands Trans- piece of legislation. It is our belief that this airport. I think you will agree that prompt fer Act. This bill will facilitate the purchase bill is critical in order to ensure the contin- congressional action is critical. of federal land approximately 35 miles south ued economic vitality of Southern Nevada The Ivanpah Valley is the best location for of Las Vegas for the construction of an addi- for decades to come. In just the last 16 a future second airport to serve the Las tional airport to serve southern Nevada. The months McCarran International Airport has Vegas metropolitan area. The proposed loca- phenomenal growth of the Las Vegas econ- seen an 11% increase in passenger traffic and tion is 35 miles from the heart of the Las omy has in turn triggered double digit will reach its effective capacity by the year Vegas valley, between Jean and Primm, Ne- growth at McCarran International Airport. 2012. Given the time constraints and require- vada. Also, it is bounded by Interstate High- ments to plan, design and construct such a It is vitally important that the transpor- way 15 and the main line of the Union Pa- complex structure, the ability to acquire the tation infrastructure be able to keep pace cific Railroad, giving the new airport excel- site through immediate passage is crucial. with growth in the hotel industry. This bill lent and essential multimodal/intermodal As a company that develops large tracts of is important if the tourist based economy of surface access opportunities. land into master-planned communities, Las Vegas is expected to continue to provide Thank you again for your support and as- we’re well acquainted with the limited land good paying employment opportunities. I sistance. If further information is desired, availability in the Las Vegas area and we be- urge you and your colleagues in the Congress please do not hesitate to contact Randall H. lieve the Ivanpah Valley is the best location to enact H.R. 1965 without amendment to Walker, Director Aviation at (702) 261–5150. for a future second airport. Also, immediate pave the way for a second airport for south- Sincerely yours, freeway access makes it an ideal location. ern Nevada. JACK JEFFREY. Additionally, we support the Clark County Thank you. f Department of Aviation’s attempt to pur- Sincerely, chase these needed lands from the BLM. It is JOHN W. WILHELM, INTRODUCTION OF CORAL REEF our understanding that they will pay for General President. these lands at an agreed upon value based CONSERVATION LEGISLATION upon appraisals acceptable to both the BLM and the airport. NEVADA SERVICE HON. ENI F.H. FALEOMAVAEGA Therefore, we join with other community EMPLOYEES UNION, OF AMERICAN SAMOA business leaders and agencies in encouraging Las Vegas, NV, March 3, 2000. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES your active support of this legislation. We Hon. JAMES GIBBONS, are prepared to assist in moving this legisla- U.S. Representative, Cannon House Office Tuesday, March 14, 2000 tion forward. Building, Washington, DC. I look forward to seeing you again in the Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. I am pleased to rise DEAR CONGRESSMAN GIBBONS: On behalf of near future. today with my good friend from New Jersey, Nevada Service Employees Union, SEIU, Sincerely, the Chairman of the Fisheries Conservation, Local 1107, we are writing to communicate SCOTT HIGGINSON, Wildlife and Oceans Subcommittee, Mr. our support for the enactment of H.R. 1965, Vice President, the Ivanpah Valley Airport Public Lands SAXTON, to introduce bipartisan legislation to Government Affairs. Transfer Act. authorize a coral reef conservation program. This bill is of extreme importance to the For many people, coral reefs are distant THE CITY OF HENDERSON, community and is strongly supported by the marine environments that they might never Henderson, NV, August 5, 1998. membership of NSEU, SEIU, Local 1107. come in contact with unless they are fortunate Re S. 1964 and H.R. 3705. It is our belief that the Ivanpah Valley is enough to go on a tropical vacation. For too Hon. JIM GIBBONS, the best location for a second airport to long now, as a Nation we have enjoyed the bi- Longworth House Office Building, serve the Las Vegas metropolitan area. ological wealth provided by coral reefs, but Washington, DC. It is our further belief that the construc- failed in our obligations to devote the re- DEAR CONGRESSMAN GIBBONS: I would like tion of this additional facility is critical sources necessary to protect these vital treas- to let you know that I am in full support of with respect to ensuring the continued eco- the above referenced legislation. As you ures. While these precious ecosystems ap- nomic growth of Southern Nevada in that know Henderson’s Sky Harbor Airport cur- peared to be in balance until not long ago, the additional airport will be able to accom- rently is a reliever airport of small aircraft today human activities have significantly al- modate the needs of Southern Nevada’s vital from the McCarran air space and air traffic. tered that balanceÐmuch to the detriment of industries. As this region continues to grow, our modes the corals, and much to the demise of people of effective and efficient transportation be- Accordingly, we urge your colleagues to who depend on coral reefs to sustain their enact H.R. 1965. come an increasingly important part of communities and economies. maintaining and improving our economic Thank you in advance for your attention Unlike many other members of Congress, I strength. in this matter. The Clark County Department of Aviation Sincerely, come from a place where the coral reefs are staff has identified the Ivanpah Valley Air- VICKY HEDDERMAN, essential to the very fabric of everyday life. port as the prime location for future air President. Until recently, those of us from the Pacific is- transportation into this region. This new THOMAS M. BEATTY, lands have literally lived off our reefs and the airport is absolutely critical for the Depart- Executive Director. surrounding local lands. We have recognized
VerDate 13