U.S. Department 

of Transportation 

Office of the Secretary 

of Transportation 

The Honorable Patrick Leahy 

United States Senate 

Washington, DC 20510 

Dear Senator Leahy: 

Assistant Secretary 

APR 1 2 2010 

Thank you for your letter enclosing correspondence from your constituent. Mr. Jeffrey 

M. Resnick, supporting Secretary LaHood' s efforts to fonn an Aviation Advisory 

Committee that will examine significant industry issues and offer recommendations to 

address the future of aviation. I am responding on behalf of the Secretary. 

The U.S. Department of Transportation recognizes the importance of a national air 

transportation policy that ensures access for all citizens to safe. efficient, and reliable air 

service and we believe the formation of an A vjation Advisory Committee is a significant 

step towards achieving that vision. 

We appreciate your nomination of Kate I-Ianni to be a member of the Advisory 

Committee. Please be assured that your nomination will receive due consideration. This 

is a matter of considerable importance to the Secretary and we anticipate the formation of 

the committee in the near future. 

Again, thank you for sharing your views with us and for supporting the Department's 

efforts to improve and modernize our Nation's air transportation system. I f I can be of 

further assistance. please feel free to contact me. 

Sjpcerely yours, 

~ Q1~~I.n~ V!U6f 

I ssistant Secretary for 

Aviation and International Affairs 

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C~_·J 
SlO-IOOI26-017 

PATRICK LEAHY COMMITIEES; 

AGRICULTURE, NUTRITION, AND 

FORESTRY 

VERMONT 

tinitrd ~tatrs ~rnQtr WASHINGTON, DC 20510-4502 

APPROPRIATIONS 

JUDICIARY 

January 14,2010 

The Honorable Ray H. LaHood 

Secretary of Transportation 

US Department of Transportation 

1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE 

Washington, DC 20590 

Dear Secretary LaHood: 

I write to share with you an email I recently received from a constituent of mine regarding the 

establishment of a "Blue Ribbon Panel" on passenger rights within the aviation industry. Mr. 

Resnick would like to have a consumer rights advocate represented on the panel, and I have told 

him that I would forward his request to your department. 

Dear Honorable Ray LaHood, 

I am a citizen and frequent flyer. It has come to my attention that a "Blue Ribbon Panel" is being 

established to discuss the citizens' rights regarding the future of the United States Aviation 

Industry. As a former CEO of a retail enterprise. I can't image how my government officials 

could form such a committee without the inclusion of a consumer representative. I suggest and 

urge that Kate Hanni, the founderlspokespersonlExecutive Director of the nonprofit Coalition and 

a stalwart-advocate of airline passengers" rights, should have a seat at this table to continue to 

advocate for us. As a taxpaying consumer I believe that the input of a dedicated airline 

passengers' rights advocate would be valuable asset to the DOT Advisory Committee and the 

American Way ofinclusion. I am particularly concern that members of Congress have a 

beneficial relationship with the airlines, in that they currently get a preference in ticketing and 

flying to their home destinations. Thanking you in advance for your kind consideration, might I 

request input as to the final choices and outcome ofthis most important decision. 

Thank you 

Very truly yours, 

Jeffrey M. Resnick 

211 Cider Hill Road 

Warren, Vermont 05674 

imrxx@aol.com 

VERMONT OFFICES; COURT HOUSE PLAZA. 199 MAIN STREET, BURLINGTON 1lO2J86~ 2525 

FEDERAL BUILDING. ROOM 338, MONTPELIER 8021229-0559 

OR DIAL TOLL FREE H,00l642-3193 

SENATOR_lEAHY@LEAHY.SENATE.GOV 

PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER 
, > SIO-IOOI26-017 

Thank you in advance for your consideration of this matter. Please let me know if you have any 

questions. 

Sincerely, 

United 

PATRICK 

States 

L'!!-~ Senator 

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