Secretary Anthony Foxx

T.F. Green Airport Ceremony
Warwick, RI • September 9, 2014

Remarks as prepared for delivery

Good morning, everyone – and thanks, Michael Huerta for the introduction.

We’ve got a big cast on stage today: the governor, the mayor, senators, congressmen. It’s great to see you all – and it’s great to be back in Rhode Island.

When Lyndon Johnson established the Department of Transportation about a half-century ago, he talked a little about aviation. He said – and I’m quoting here – that ours was a nation “confronted by crowded air lanes, by screeching airplanes, and by archaic equipment…”

Well, I have to say: If there was screeching on an airplane back then, it was probably coming from Lyndon Johnson himself. He was an intimidating guy.

In fact, there’s a famous photo series – Senator Reed actually has it hanging on his office wall – and in it Lyndon Johnson is getting in the face of another U.S. senator, trying to bend him to his will.

Well, that Senator – believe it or not – was none other than T.F. Green.

So today, I guess we can say that T.F. Green is having the last laugh. Because Johnson may have asked for airports with updated equipment. But it’s T.F. Green airport that actually delivered on it!

Everything Administrator Huerta said was right on the money: this project, the EMAS at the end of Runway 16, will make this airport EVEN safer; it’ll strengthen T.F. Green’s place as one of most important airports in the region

So, my hat’s off to all of you: to Governor Chafee, the Congressional delegation, to your mayor, and to the Rhode Island Airport Corporation.

The U.S. Department of Transportation was very happy to contribute nearly $30 million to complete construction of this project. But it’s YOU who built it, YOU who had the vision.

And really, this is just the tip of the iceberg. DOT has been at many groundbreakings in Rhode Island over the past couple years. And the reason is: you’re doing visionary work across the state.

Back in December 2010, our Department celebrated the start of commuter rail service to T.F. Green and the new InterLink multimodal facility.

And then we came back to celebrate the Wickford Junction station opening in 2012.

And then we joined you back in January of this year to celebrate the new R-Line Rapid Bus Service serving downtown Providence.

So my final point is: With the EMAS, you’re continuing that legacy, and you’re serving as an example for the rest of the country.

So thank you. Congratulations.

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