As FAA Plan Threatens To Doom Historic American Air Power Museum In Farmingdale, Schumer, Israel Lead Rally To Save Critical Li Historic And Tourist Attraction

Press Release

Joined by Dozens of Veterans and Community Leaders, Schumer and Israel Announce Plan for the FAA to Cover Costs of Relocating and Preserving Museum- Schumer Introduces Legislation in the Senate, House Already Passed Measure Advocated by Israel

Standing in front of the historic American Air Power Museum located at Republic Airport in Farmingdale, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer and Representative Steve Israel announced that without quick action by Congress the historic museum, the critical economic engine and tourist attracting, would have to be demolished. Right now, the Federal Aviation Administration is engaged in a nationwide "runway hazard removal" program and as part of the agency's plan for Republic Airport, the 35,000 square foot hanger that houses the museum would have to cleared. Schumer and Israel will say that losing the museum would deal a severe economic blow to Farmingdale and all of Long Island as the museum is an historic landmark, national tourist attraction, and a tribute to America's military. The officials announced they are making a joint push on legislation that will require the FAA to cover the cost of relocating and preserving the museum within Republic Airport.

"The American Air power museum is a living monument to the brave men and women who took to the skies to defend our nation and we simply cannot allow the FAA sweep it away. The museum is a nationwide tourist attracting and a critical economic engine for Long Island and we are going to fight tooth and nail to ensure it stays that way," Schumer said.

"The American Airpower Museum in Farmingdale is an important tribute to our Armed Forces. Now it's being threatened because of a flaw in FAA policy and I simply can't allow that. I'm pleased to report that we've passed a bill in the House that included my proposal to ensure the Airpower Museum will be protected. With Sen. Schumer working on the issue in the Senate, we can expect the American Airpower Museum to remain a treasured landmark for Long Islanders for years to come," said Rep. Israel.

Last year, the FAA announced plans to demolish two hangars at Republic Airport to modernize the runway and to meet Runway Safety Area criteria. However, one of these hangars houses the American Airpower Museum (AAM).

An allocation of $3,000,000 was directed to Republic Airport for these renovations under the FAA's Airport Improvement Plan. During the first half of 2008, AAM received a verbal commitment to a portion of this funding. However, this agreement was never put into writing because it cannot be used for relocation purposes, which is the best option to keep AAM open.

Current law prohibits FAA funds from paying for the relocation of airport facilities. The FAA can only use this funding for the demolition of sponsor facilities.

To fix this issue, Sen. Schumer and Rep. Israel are working to change the restriction on expenditures of FAA funds. Rep. Israel was successful in inserting language into the FAA Reauthorization bill in the 111th Congress that would addresses this problem. Sen. Schumer is introducing legislation on the Senate side to ensure this fix becomes law. The plan from Sen. Schumer and Rep. Israel would amend current FAA law so as to allow funds to be used for the relocation or replacement of an existing airport facility.

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