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Sen. John Thune Named Recipient of Hartranft Award - One of AOPA's Two Highest Honors

Palm Springs, Calif. – The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) named South Dakota Sen. John Thune, ranking Republican on the Senate Commerce Committee’s Aviation Subcommittee, the 2012 recipient of the Joseph B. “Doc” Hartranft, Jr., Award for his tireless work on behalf of general aviation in the United States Congress. The Hartranft Award is presented annually to an elected or appointed government official who has made significant contributions to the advancement of general aviation.  The award is one of AOPA’s two highest honors.

“As a member of the Senate General Aviation Caucus, Sen. Thune has gone on the record twice opposing user fees,” said AOPA President and CEO Craig L. Fuller. “He also joined 25 other senators in signing a letter to Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood expressing concern regarding the Block Aircraft Registration Request. All of us who use general aviation appreciate his strong support on Capitol Hill.”

Sen. Thune also spearheaded a letter to the Environmental Protection Agency and the Federal Aviation Administration signed by 26 other senators urging the agencies not to use the rulemaking process to force the elimination of lead from aviation fuel before a suitable replacement is found. The letter also asked both agencies to work with the general aviation community to find an alternative to leaded avgas. 

The senator joined 32 others in sending a letter to the chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) asking the commission to rescind wireless network operator LightSquared’s approval to expand until the company can demonstrate that its technology would not interfere with GPS reception.  Senator Thune was also an original cosponsor of the Senate Pilot’s Bill of Rights, which became law in August.

“As a regular user of general aviation, Sen. Thune understands how vital the industry is not only for his home state of South Dakota, but for the rest of the United States as well concluded Fuller. “His work on behalf of general aviation epitomizes what defines a Hartranft Award winner.”

The Joseph B. “Doc” Hartranft, Jr., Award is named for AOPA’s first employee, long-time president and former chairman of the board.  Previous winners include Rep. Sam Graves (R-Mo.) in 2011; Victor Bird, director of the Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission, in 2010; and Reps. Allen Boyd (D-Fla.) and Vernon Ehlers (R-Mich.), founders of the House General Aviation Caucus, in 2009.

- AOPA -

12-S-012

October 12, 2012