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HELICOPTER AIR SERVICE PROGRAM

TUESDAY, MARCH 9, 1965

U.S. SENATE, 
COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE, 
SUBCOMMITTEE ON AVIATION, 
Washington, D.C.

The subcommittee met at 10 a.m., in room 5110, New Senate Office Building, Hon. A. S. Mike Monroney (chairman of the subcommittee) presiding.

Senator MONRONEY. The Commerce Committee, Subcommittee on Aviation, will be in session. 

Our first witness will be the Honorable Roman C. Pucinski, U.S. Congressman from the State of Illinois. 

Would you please come forward, Mr. Pucinski?

We are delighted to have you appear, Mr. Pucinski, in the study we are undertaking on helicopter service. You may proceed in your own way. I have a copy of your statement here. 

STATEMENT OF HON. ROMAN C. PUCINSKI, A U.S. REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE 11TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT OF ILLINOIS

M. PUCINSKI. Senator, I am very grateful to you for permitting me to appear before your committee on behalf of the people I represent. My statement will be very brief. I would not want you to think for one moment that its brevity shows any lack of interest in this subject. 

Senator MONRONEY. This committee has a great appreciation for brevity in its place. 

Mr. PUCINSKI. Thank you, Senator.
 
I appreciate the opportunity of appearing before your distinguished committee on the matter of continued subsidies for Chicago's scheduled helicopter airline, Chicago Helicopter Airways. 

My district in Chicago is adjacent to the Chicago O'Hare International Airport, the world's busiest airport. This fact, coupled with my Air Corps flying experience during World War II, gives me a very great interest in aviation matters affecting the city of Chicago and the Chicago metropolitan area. 

Our O'Hare Airport will handle nearly 20 million passengers this year and approximately 500,000 aircraft movements. This enormous activity greatly exceeds the traffic volumes that are being handled by the major airports in New York City and Los Angeles. I know that the New York City and Los Angeles people will challenge these figures. They will stand up. 

Senator MONRONEY. Do you mean the combined figures of New York and Los Angeles? 

Mr. PUCINSKI. No, not the combined figures. 

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