U.S. Department of Transportation OHice of the Secretory "ofTransportation



### Mr. Paul 

### \V. Lewis President Abilene Black Chamber ofCommerce PO Box 3572 Abilene, 

### TX 79604 Dear Mr. Lewis: Assistant Secretary 

### January 22, 2013 1200 NewJersey Avenue. SE Washington. OC 20590

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Thank you for your Jetter to Secretary ofTransportation Ray Lallood, supportingthe app.lication ofSouthwest Airlines (Southwest) for two within-perimeter slot exemptions atRoilald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). South\vestproposes to serve Houston's William P. Hobby Airport with one nonstop round trip per day fTom DCA. Secretary LaHood asked that I respond to you on his behalf. We received Southwest's application on December 5, 2012. Othertimely applications were received from JetBiue Airways, proposing one nonstopround trip to JacksonvilleInternational Airport, Florida, and from US Airways, proposing one nonstop round trip to Will Rogers World Airport in OklahomaCity. As the matter is stiH pending, I cannot comment on the merits ofthe points raised in your letter. However, I can assure you that all applications received by the U.S. Department of Transportation will be given due and careful consideration. The Department's action on this matter is being administered through a public·docket, which allows all interested parties the opportunity to comment. Fol.lowing ournormal practice, 1am placing a copy ofyollr letter and this response in docket number DOT-OST-2000-7182. I appreciate your interest in this matter. Sincerelyyours,

Susan L. 

### Kurland Assistant Secretary for Aviation and International Affairs

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... .... ' •**~** • I ,J. December 13, 2012 The Honorable Raymond H. LaHood Secretary ofTransportation U.S. Department ofTransportation 1200 New Jersey Avenue, S.E. Washington, DC 20590 Re: Docket DOT-OST-2000-7182 Dear Secretary LaHood: The Abilene Black Chamberof Commerce a member ofthe Texas Association of African American Chambers of Commerce (TAAACC) and the membership that it represents in the Taylor County SMSA and the state of**Tex~s** African-American owned businesses encourage you to support the request of slots at Washington Reagan (DCA) for Southwest Airlines to begin nonstop service between Houston Hobby (HOU) and our nation's capital. Southwest Airlines is a strong Texas company and a leader in their industry with many concepts other carriers are emulating or considering. Among them are: Great service at a fair price!



# ... The convenient, non-stop connection between Houston Hobby and DCA does so much more than simply connect one of America's premier cities with Washington, DC. This new connection will result in an entirely new universe of opportunityfor small businesses on both ends. Southwest's demonstrated commitment to stakeholder outreach and supplier diversity is a great model othercarriers would do well to mimic, and we fully support their efforts provide nonstop service from DCAto 

### 1-:'0U. On behalf ofthe members ofthe Abilene Black Chamber of Commerce, TAAACC, the State ofTexas, the City of Houston and the business and leisure markets that will be enhanced by this new service, we are pleased to support Southwest Airlines' application to add their award-winning brand of service to Washington Reagan via Houston Hoboy. Supporting business everywhere,

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# -/zPaul W. [ewis" President



# . P 0 Box**~?72 A~ilene,**  Texas**796.0~.** Telephone: 325-672-7950; Fax ;325-670-9860 

### S10-130104-005

### The Honorable Raymond H. LaH Secretary of Transportation U.S. Department ofTransportatio 1200 New JerseyAvenue, S.E. Washington, DC 20590


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