### u.s. Department of Transportation Office ofthe Secretary OfTransportation

The Honorable Pete P. Gallego United States House ofRepresentatives Washington, DC 20515

Dear Congressman Gallego: 

### JUL 0 2

## 2013 1200 NewJerseyAve., S.E. Washington, DC 20590

Thank you for your letter supporting the proposal submitted bythe City ofDel Rio for a grant underthe U.S. Department ofTransportation's Small Community Air Service Development Program. The Small CommunityAir Service Development Program was established to help smaller communities address air service deficiencies, particularly issues related to high airfares or insufficient service. Underthe statute, the Department may make a maximum of40 grant awards each year, although no more than 4 awards may be to communities 

### inthe same State. In order to provide communities with latitude indeveloping solutions to their air service deficiencies, the statute provides flexibility in the types ofprojects that can be funded. On June 24, the Department issued an orderrequesting that communities interested inreceiving a grantthis year file their applications by July 26. As these grantrequests are pendingbeforethe Department, I cannot comment onthe merits ofany particular proposal. I assure youthatthe Departmentwill give full and fair consideration to all proposals thathave beenproperly filed. As is our normal practice, I am placing a copy ofyour letter and this response 

### inDocket DOT-OST-2013-0120 as a contact outside the record ofthismatter. I appreciate your interest in this program. Sincerely yours,

e Chapman Associate Director Small Community Air Service DevelopmentPE1E P. GALLEGO 23RD O!STR!Cf, TEXAS 

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June 20, 2013

Brooke Chapman, AssociateDirector SmallCommunityAir Service Development Office ofAviationAnalysis 

### U.S. DepartmentofTransportation 1200 NewJersey Ave., SE Washington, DC20590 RoomW86-307 Dear 'Mrs. Chapman : 431 CANNON Housa Orr-ICE BWU.l!NG WASHINGTON, DC 20515 (202) 225-4511

I write to request favorable consideration of a Small Community Air Service Development (SCASD) Grant application put forward by the City of Del Rio. The Queen City of the Rio Grande, Del Rio is a vibrantmilitary communitywith a diversified economy based onbusiness and conunerce, tourism, and agriculture. As you know, I have been a strong supporter of small regional airports for a long time. As a state legislator, 

### I worked to increase funding for improvement of regional airports and ensure that smaller regional airports were not forgotten or leftbehind. Del Rio's was one such airport. Over time, several grants allowed Del Rio both to build a modem air terminal and lengthen runways. Thanks to local efforts and your support, Del Rio became the only border conununitybetween Laredo and E1 Paso (some 850 miles) to offer passenger service. The recent loss of such air service has negatively ilnpacted community residents. From government employees at Laughlin Air Force Base to those engaged in the international trade sector to the service industries relying on tourism- all have now lost a vital and convenient air link to the rest of Texas. Del Rio has over 35,000 residents. It has worked to develop a partnership with numerous entities (both governmental, non-governmental andprivate) thatincludeinternational,regional, and local support for a route that allows service from Del Rio International Airport (DRT) to Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW). From DFW, our area's residents and growing businesses willhave access to the world.

PRiNTED ON Rt:'CYClED PAPER

### To: Brooke Chapman, Associate Director Re: Del Rio, TX Small Community Air Service Development (SCASD) Grant June 20, 2013 Page2

Please know that I strongly support the City of Del Rio's application for Small Community Air Service Development Grant. I would much appreciate any consideration their application can be given. h1 

### the event you have questions or concerns about my request, please feel**fre~**

## to contact me or Michael Pacheco in my w·ashington, D.C., office. Michael can be reaehea at 202.225.4511 or Michael.Pacheco@mail.house.gov

.

PeteP. Gallego Member ofCongress
PPG/mp