COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA

HOUSE OF DELEGATES

RICHMOND

 

 

DISTRICT: (540) 580-6687 • RICHMOND: (804) 698-1011 • EMAIL: DELSRASOUL@HOUSE.VIRGINIA.GOV

COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS:

PRIVILEGES AND ELECTIONS

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

MILITIA, POLICE AND PUBLIC SAFETY

SAM RASOUL

PO BOX 13842

ROANOKE, VIRGINIA 24037

ELEVENTH DISTRICT

May 22, 2015

The Honorable John Kerry

Secretary of State

U.S. Department of State

2201 C Street, NW

Washington, DC 20520

The Honorable Anthony Foxx

Secretary of Transportation

U.S. Department of Transportation

1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE

Washington, DC 20590

The Honorable Penny S. Pritzker

Secretary of Commerce

U.S. Department of Commerce

1401 Constitution Avenue, NW

Washington, DC 20230

RE: Dockets No. DOS-2015-0016, DOT-OST-2015-0082, and DOC-2015-0001

Dear Secretaries Kerry, Foxx and Pritzker:

As the Virginia State Delegate for the 11th District, representing Roanoke City, I am writing to 

encourage you to tread lightly with respect to Open Skies. I understand the major U.S. airlines—

Delta, United, and American—are interested in seeing the government renegotiate agreements 

covering Emirates, Etihad, and Qatar Airways. Although I recognize that U.S. airlines must 

advocate for their stakeholders’ interests, I wish to underscore that taking the action they request 

would have negative consequences for individuals and businesses I represent.

Consider for a moment Roanoke’s beautiful Blue Ridge and the many draws for tourists, not just 

from the U.S. but from all over the world. Whether seeking music festivals, shopping, and wineries 

downtown or the outdoor opportunities in the surrounding area, international visitors spend 

millions of dollars each year on hotel stays, restaurants, tours, and more. 

To support and grow this market, we must have convenient, affordable air travel from a variety of 

overseas destinations. The U.S. airlines can and will continue to accommodate some of these 

travelers, but they are less adept at serving cities in India, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and 

other emerging markets. Roanoke wants and needs to welcome visitors from these areas. 

Connections via Dulles International Airport are vital in achieving this objective.
I must also speak up on behalf of my constituents of various ethnic backgrounds, who rely on air 

travel to stay connected to families, communities, and cultures abroad. The City of Roanoke is 

proud to be a multicultural hub in Western Virginia, and interaction with international 

communities is part of what makes us a thriving and vibrant city. 

Faculty and students at local educational institutions, including my alma mater Roanoke College, 

expect to engage with scholars from around the world. And local constituents are increasingly 

interested in travelling to exciting destinations across Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. In each 

of these cases, the competition fostered by the Gulf airlines is helping to expand routes, lower 

fares, and benefit travelers. 

There can be no denying that we live in a rapidly globalizing world. The 11th District of Virginia 

wants to continue to participate in this exchange. Keeping Open Skies agreements intact will help 

us do so. I ask that you take our perspective into account as you move forward.

In closing, let me thank you for your hard work on behalf of our country. Please don’t hesitate to 

contact me if I can be of any assistance in this or other matters.

Sincerely,

Sam Rasoul

Member, Virginia House of Delegates

Eleventh District

District: 540.904.6905

Richmond: 804.698.1011

Fax: 804.698.6711