The publication is reproduced in full below:
HONORING THE LIFE OF GEORGE PRATT HOWARD
______
HON. JOE COURTNEY
of connecticut
in the house of representatives
Tuesday, July 27, 2021
Mr. COURTNEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask the Members of the House to join me in mourning the passing of one of our Nation's foremost experts on aviation safety and infrastructure, George
``Pratt'' Howard of Deep River, Connecticut. Known as Peter to family and friends--he passed away at his home in Deep River on January 30, 2021. Peter has moved on from this world but his spirit of love for his neighbors and community will never dissipate, and will continue to inspire us to put the public good above personal ambition or gain, and always treat one another with compassion and care.
Born in New York City's Greenwich Village--Peter spent most of his childhood in the city and absorbed the cultural and community diversity in the big apple that would positively influence his creative and artistic mind later in life. An avid student and passionate learner--
Peter left the city after high school to earn a degree in economics from the University of Virginia before returning to the city to acquire a master's in business administration from New York University. Following university, Peter decided to pursue a career in a field that he had a true passion for--aviation. With that, Peter joined the Air Force where he gained firsthand knowledge of aviation as he worked with some of the most advanced military grade technology to exist in that time from 1952 to 1955. After receiving significant experience in the ins and outs of aviation in the Air Force, Peter began a life-long journey in the civilian aviation space serving in leadership positions in several organizations including Director of Marketing for Eastern Airlines, and Chief of Economics/Asst. Director for Policy and External affairs for the port authorities of both New York and New Jersey.
In 1989, Peter landed a job that would allow him to have a direct impact on aviation policy in our nation--he became the new executive director of the Airport Operators Council International. In this role, he worked tirelessly in his advocacy of policy and procedural changes to improve the safety and effectiveness of American airports. His expertise was highly valued by all his colleagues and was often sought-
after by policy makers. Proof of this can be seen in countless news media interviews and multiple testimonies he gave in Congressional hearings. In his work with Congress, he played a critical role in the Aviation Safety and Capacity Expansion Act of 1990. Since passage, this legislation has raised over $60 billion for airports in supporting passenger safety. Peter's work with aviation policy was truly light years ahead of his time as he understood that with increased air traffic and globalization--safety would need to become a number one priority for American airline companies and our domestic security apparatus. Peter was steadfast in his commitment to our nation's aviation industry and his efforts have inspired others to continue the mission of ensuring that our air travel procedure always meet the most comprehensive safety standards.
Outside of the field of aviation, Peter was also an accomplished art historian who always used his wealth of knowledge to educate and enlighten anyone who was interested in the field. This included municipal governments and non-profit organizations in New York and Connecticut who used Peter's insights to expand their community arts and historical preservation programs. As a New York Resident, Peter was always active in his community and even became President of the Brooklyn Heigh association from 1967 to 1969. As President--Peter was one of the driving forces in the passage of New York's landmark law which resulted in Brooklyn Heights becoming the first designated Historic district in New York City.
Later in life--Peter moved to Deep River and officially became a resident of Connecticut. As a Deep River resident, Peter tirelessly contributed to this historic Connecticut river town whose rich history and high quality of life he passionately championed. He offered his public policy expertise as an adviser to the Board of Selectman, and the town greatly benefitted from his creative solutions to complex problems, without incurring the high cost of consultants. I also recall Peter's tremendous efforts in establishing the town's first Design Advisory Board for which he became its first chairman. In this role, he organized and executed art galleries for the town that displayed local artwork, including artwork from students at the local high school. He would also work together with the rest of the board to review and critique ideas for development in the town put together by the Planning
& Zoning Commission. What Peter did for art and historical preservation in every community he lived in is truly remarkable.
Madam Speaker, it was an honor to represent a constituent as caring and compassionate for his community and Nation as Peter, who's dedication to our community and the town of Deep River went far beyond his service in local government. As a longtime friend and supporter of my work as a congressman, I always enjoyed talking to Peter and picking his brain on experiences he had with the U.S. Congress in the past and his well-informed opinions on current events, both at home and abroad. Even in his free time, he went the extra mile to enhance the community, from personally landscaping at the Veteran's Garden to helping design the local town pharmacy. Although his memory will live on through countless others, including his wife of 50 years, Sukey Howard, his three daughters, Connie, Kitty, and Ginger, his four grandchildren, and one great grandson, our eastern Connecticut community owes him an immeasurable level of gratitude. To that end, I ask that my colleagues and this Chamber join me in expressing our deepest condolences to the Howard Family and setting Peter Howard's name further into stone.
____________________
SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 167, No. 131
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