ALASKA LEGISLATURE

Representative Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins

Angoon · Craig · Elfin Cove · Haines · Hoonah · Hydaburg · Kake · Kasaan · Klawock · Klukwan · Metlakatla · Pelican · Port Alexander · Sitka 

rep.jonathan.kreiss-tomkins@akleg.gov

Committees:

 Transportation

 Fisheries

 State Affairs

Juneau, Alaska 99801(Jan-Apr)

State Capitol, Room 426

(907) 465-3732

Sitka, Alaska 99835 (May-Dec)

201 Katlian Street, Ste 103

(907) 747-4665

US Department of Transportation

1200 New Jersey Avenue SE

Washington, DC 20590

September 2, 2014

United States Department of Transportation,

I write to offer my unabashed, unconditional, and full-throated support for Harris Air’s application 

for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity. Harris Air is based in Sitka, Alaska, and 

provides indispensable service to many of the fourteen communities I represent. And they don't 

just provide indispensable service; they do it with class, kindness, professionalism, and safety.

As you can quickly surmise from glancing at the map, Southeast Alaska’s communities are 

separated by a wilderness of jagged mountains, deep fjords, and open ocean. Harris Air neutralizes 

these geographic barriers, connecting Alaska's remote nodes of civilization. Without Harris Air's 

service, some of these communities would struggle to survive. If Harris Air’s service is not publicly 

convenient and necessary, I can hardly imagine what such a service would look like.

I know first-hand. Harris Air is vital for my legislative work. I need to travel to the island 

communities I represent that are speckled throughout the Southeast Alaska archipelago. Without 

Harris, my itineraries would resemble a latter-day method of Medieval torture. Instead, I am 

blessed with fast and safe non-stop service. I am one of hundreds, if not thousands, who so benefit.

But these are just words. Reading all these letters, gentle U.S. DOT employee, is probably tough 

work, and surely somewhat abstract. After all, Washington, D.C. is an awful long way from 

Southeast Alaska. Please allow me to enliven the process, and simultaneously provide 

enlightenment with regards to the high quality of Harris Air's pilots and service.

The morning of July 10, Rob Murray, a Harris Air pilot, was flying from Sitka to Angoon. Angoon has 

no airport. Harris provides indispensable floatplane service, transporting patients from the Native 

community of Angoon to the regional hospital in Sitka, as well as freight, tourists, and occasionally 

legislators like me.

This particular morning, Rob was picking up Thomas Hamm of San Diego, California (among 

others). Just as he was about to set down his floats on the waters of Favorite Bay outside Angoon, a 
humpback whale came to the surface in the direct path of his De Havilland Beaver. You'll have to 

watch the video to see what ensues, but darn if it's not a sterling example of aeronautic excellence. 

The YouTube video is appropriately titled "Whale vs Pontoon Plane -- Angoon Alaska." Google will 

kindly assist you in finding this highly relevant piece of video footage.

Harris Air pilots know what they're doing. They fly safely. The whole operation, from pilots to 

mechanics to dispatchers, is friendly, down to earth, and cares about what they do and the people 

they serve. Southeast Alaska depends on their work. Help Southeast Alaska by helping Harris Air: 

please issue this certificate of public convenience and necessity to Harris Air.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Representative Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins