House Proceeding 07-23-09 on Jul 23rd, 2009 :: 2:51:25 to 2:56:05
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2:51:23 to 2:51:45( Edit History Discussion )

Earl Pomeroy: are designating it as an earmark to an airport terminal that falls outside the funds of this account. and i hope the sponsor can illuminate on that. the chair: who claims time in opposition. the gentleman is recognized. mr. pomeroy: i thank the speaker

2:51:25 to 2:56:05( Edit History Discussion )
Speech By: Earl Pomeroy

2:51:46 to 2:52:06( Edit History Discussion )

Earl Pomeroy: and salute my colleague, mr. flake, for once again his vigor in trying to raise questions relative to spending. certainly these are public assets we're talking about and it's a fine thing to have di day here in the house of representatives for each and

2:52:07 to 2:52:27( Edit History Discussion )

Earl Pomeroy: every line item including $50,000 issue that has been raised relative to the grand forks airport terminal. . i as a representative of grand forks apple proud to give the

2:52:28 to 2:52:49( Edit History Discussion )

Earl Pomeroy: details relative to what is an extremely important project for north dakota. the airport improvement moneys in north dakota typically run through the north dakota aeronautics commission. i would admit into the record a letter from the north dakota aeronautics commission relative

2:52:50 to 2:53:10( Edit History Discussion )

Earl Pomeroy: proj e chair: the gentleman's request will be considered under general leave. mr. pomeroy: thank you. mr. flake has raised a question in terms of what airport improvement money raised is used for ternals. most of it isn't. some of it is. i about 12%, nearly 13% is use for terminals.

2:53:11 to 2:53:31( Edit History Discussion )

Earl Pomeroy: and i would wager that every member of the chamber has some evidence of airport improvement grant money being used for terminals. now, why would we use it for terminals when principally its direction is elsewhere? because each of -- each of us

2:53:32 to 2:53:53( Edit History Discussion )

Earl Pomeroy: has encountered in our districts situations where the terminals frankly get beyond repair and must be attended to on a priority basis for the needs of the general public. the conditions of this airport are truly deeply problematic.

2:53:54 to 2:54:14( Edit History Discussion )

Earl Pomeroy: they involve issues of safety. under the present airport terminal relative to the tower, a line of sight is actually blocked by virtue of how they are forced to use the terminal. believe it or not, the grand forks international airport is the 22nd country.

2:54:15 to 2:54:36( Edit History Discussion )

Earl Pomeroy: you think, how can that possibly be? we are proud to host the university of north dakota pilot traing program under the john oda guard school, one of the truly elite pilot training programs in the country. an enrollment of well over 1,000 students. they place a tremendous traffic

2:54:37 to 2:54:57( Edit History Discussion )

Earl Pomeroy: burden on what otherwise would be a small airport facility. so safety issues really matter, especially considering the fact that you got a lot of inexperienced pilots doing their training at this particular facility. we have issues of public safety. severe inundation of basement

2:54:58 to 2:55:21( Edit History Discussion )

Earl Pomeroy: areas resulting in everything from mold to threatened mechanical equipment. for a major substantial facility, these are pitiful problems for a facility that desperately needs to be addressed. have security issues. by the t.s.a. screening

2:55:22 to 2:55:44( Edit History Discussion )

Earl Pomeroy: in this basement area. we have 88 code deficiencies. one might ask, well, geez, is it cheaper to build a new terminal? a major renovation triggers addressing all of the 88 deficiencies in the building. that involves a massive amount of money. the aeronautics commission, not

2:55:45 to 2:56:05( Edit History Discussion )

Earl Pomeroy: my judgment, the aeronautics commission believed it was essential to address in this fashion. passenger load this year up 11% over 2008. it's an airport that continues to grow. it is a facility that needs to be done. so i think, mr. -- so i thank mr. flake, my friend, giving me