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COUNTY IUDGE

May 18,2015

The Honorable Anthony R. Foxx

Secretary of Transportation

U.S. Department of Transportation

1200 NewferseyAve. SE

Washington, D.C. 20590

Dear Secretary Foxx:

As the chief executive officer of Harris County, the nation's third most populous county, I seldom

involve myself in international affairs. Before becoming county judge, however, I was actively

involved in international transportation issues such as the Ocean Shipping Reform Act.

I am very concerned about the trend toward certain foreign carriers becoming dominant in the

long-haul market by creating major hubs in their home countries. If these carriers are winning

market share because of more efficient routing or a better quality of service, that is fine. If,

however, their market share is the result of pricing that is subsidized by their governments, then I

believe that must be stopped.

During my career in transportation, I have seen the demise of the U.S. flag merchant marine fleet.

While there is no direct comparison between ocean shipping and the airline industry, we should

take lessons to heart and not allow U.S. airline companies to be irreparably harmed by unfair

practices.

It is vital, therefore, that you do everything in your power to insure that foreign air carriers,

specifically Emirates, Etihad and Qatar, are not allowed to distort the global aviation market by

receiving subsidies from their governments.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or if I can be of assistance.

Ed Emmett

Harris County )udge

Sincerel

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May 18,2015

The Honorable John F. Kerry

Secretary ofState

U.S. Department of State

2207 C Street NW

Washington,D.C. 20520

Dear Secretary Kerry:

As the chief executive officer of Harris County, the nation's third most populous county, I seldom

involve myself in international affairs. Before becoming county judge, however, I was actively

involved in international transportation issues such as the Ocean Shipping Reform Act.

I am very concerned about the trend toward certain foreign carriers becoming dominant in the

long-haul market by creating major hubs in their home countries. If these carriers are winning

market share because of more efficient routing or a better quality of service, that is fine. If,

however, their market share is the result of pricing that is subsidized by their governments, then I

believe that must be stopped.

During my career in transportation, I have seen the demise of the U.S. flag merchant marine fleet.

While there is no direct comparison between ocean shipping and the airline industry we should

take lessons to heart and not allow U.S. airline companies to be irreparably harmed by unfair

practices.

It is vital, therefore, that you do everything in your power to insure that foreign air carriers,

specifically Emirates, Etihad and Qatar, are not allowed to distort the global aviation market by

receiving subsidies from their governments.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or if I can be of assistance.

Ed Emmett

Harris County fudge

Sincerely,

Aput NrsrRATroN Bu ttpt rvc I OO I PRESToN, SUITE 9I I HousroN, TEx As 77OO2 (7 r 3) 755-4000 (7 r 3) 755-837I
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COUNTY IUDGE

May 18,2015

The Honorable Penny Pritzker

Secretary of Commerce

U.S. Department of Commerce

1401 Constitution Avenue, NW

Washington,D.C. 20230

Dear Secretary Pritzker:

As the chief executive officer of Harris County, the nation's third most populous county, I seldom

involve myself in international affairs. Before becoming county judge, however, I was actively

involved in international transportation issues such as the Ocean Shipping Reform Act.

I am very concerned about the trend toward certain foreign carriers becoming dominant in the

long-haul market by creating major hubs in their home countries. If these carriers are winning

market share because of more efficient routing or a better quality of service, that is fine. If,

however, their market share is the result of pricing that is subsidized by their governments, then I

believe that must be stopped.

During my career in transportation, I have seen the demise of the U.S. flag merchant marine fleet.

While there is no direct comparison between ocean shipping and the airline industry, we should

take lessons to heart and not allow U.S. airline companies to be irreparably harmed by unfair

practices.

It is vital, therefore, that you do everything in your power to insure that foreign air carriers,

specifically Emirates, Etihad and Qatar, are not allowed to distort the global aviation market by

receiving subsidies from their governments.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or if I can be of assistance.

Ed Emmett

Harris County |udge

Sincerely,

Apnar NISTRATIoN Bu tlot ruo lOOI PRESTON, SUITE 9I I HousroN, TEx As 77OO2 (7lil 755-4000 (7I 3) 755-837 9