SEARCH SITE

VIRGINIA LAW PORTAL

SEARCHABLE DATABASES

ACROSS SESSIONS

Developed and maintained by the Division of Legislative Automated Systems.

2014 SESSION


HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 336
Commending Leo Schefer.

 

Agreed to by the House of Delegates, February 21, 2014
Agreed to by the Senate, February 27, 2014

 

WHEREAS, Leo Schefer, an air transportation expert who worked to ensure sustainable air service and continued economic growth in the Commonwealth, retires as the president of the Washington Airports Task Force in 2014 after more than 25 years of service; and

WHEREAS, a native of the United Kingdom, Leo Schefer trained as an aeronautical engineer with Vickers-Armstrongs, Ltd.; he moved to the United States in 1965 and offered his expertise to many air transportation projects, including programs related to the Concorde SST, the V/STOL Harrier, the Airbus, and the NASA Space Shuttle; and

WHEREAS, in the 1980s, Leo Schefer played a prominent role in the success of BAE Systems; he has been recognized for his outstanding contributions to the industry by the Top-Side Aviation Club, the Smithsonian Institution, Aviation Week, the National Aeronautic Association, and various local organizations; and

WHEREAS, beginning in 1988, Leo Schefer has served as the president of the Washington Airports Task Force (WATF), a nonprofit organization that promotes and fosters the role of air transportation in economic and cultural growth; the organization encourages collaboration and healthy competition between air services providers in the Commonwealth and National Capital Region; and

WHEREAS, for over 25 years, Leo Schefer has worked with public and private entities to achieve the organization’s goals, resulting in considerable benefits to the people of the Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, Leo Schefer oversaw significant improvements to Dulles International Airport, including the addition of the international gateway; air traffic control enhancements to increase safety, efficiency, and capacity; and projects to increase ground access to the airport; and

WHEREAS, WATF led the group that jumpstarted the Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project, and the organization has sustained balance of use between Dulles International Airport and Reagan National Airport; and

WHEREAS, Leo Schefer and WATF led efforts to build bilateral Open Skies agreements between the United States and Canada and the United States and the European Union; these agreements have facilitated a great deal of growth in international travel over the past 20 years; and

WHEREAS, WATF played a critical role in the creation of the National Air and Space Museum’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center at Washington Dulles International Airport, which opened in 2003, and encouraged airport-compatible land use policies in the Counties of Fairfax and Loudoun; and

WHEREAS, a decisive and energetic leader, Leo Schefer has left a legacy of excellence to other air transportation professionals in the Commonwealth; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Leo Schefer on the occasion of his retirement as president of the Washington Airports Task Force in 2014; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Leo Schefer as an expression of the General Assembly’s admiration for his leadership and dedication to enhancing the Commonwealth.