Bill > HR0485

This resolution congratulates the Metropolitan Airport Authority of Peoria (MAAP) on its 75th anniversary, recognizing the organization's significant contributions to aviation in the Peoria region. The document traces the area's aviation history from early flights by the Wright brothers and Charles Lindbergh to the establishment of Peoria Airport, Inc. in 1932, and the subsequent formation of MAAP in 1950. The resolution highlights MAAP's growth and achievements, including owning and operating Peoria International Airport and Mt. Hawley Auxiliary Airport, dedicating the airport to General Wayne A. Downing, and adding a new terminal building honoring Ray LaHood. It notes the airport's impressive development, from serving 50,000 passengers annually in the late 1950s to a record 689,416 passengers in 2019, and currently offering 12 nonstop destinations through three airlines. The resolution also emphasizes MAAP's unique features, such as having the longest runway in Illinois outside Chicago and the only 24-hour FAA control tower outside Chicago, while managing over 3,500 acres and serving various tenants including military facilities. The document concludes by officially congratulating MAAP on its milestone anniversary and directing that copies of the resolution be presented to the airport's leadership.