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| Updated: 3/20/2012 5:19 pm |
Published: 3/20/2012 9:22 am |
LITTLE ROCK, AR – Get ready to fly out of the Clinton National Airport. The Little Rock Airport Commission voted unanimously Tuesday to rename the Little Rock National Airport to the Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport.
The new airport name becomes effective immediately.
It may not reduce the amount of time you spend in line at the ticket counter or at security, but the airport commission believes there is something in a name.
That is why the commission listened to public input today on the idea to change the name to the Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport.
Eleven members of the public spoke on the proposal, three spoke against it, including Margaret Piper who said she didn't support Clinton politically.
"The Clinton's left Arkansas, get over it," she said.
Rick Parker told commissioners he supported the name change, but not including "Bill & Hillary" in the name.
"Some jokester is going to call it the Billary or the Hill-Billy airport," Parker says.
State representative Darrin Williams (D-Little Rock), who was recently elected speaker designate of the House, said now is the right time for a name change.
"Naming this airport after the Clinton's is the right thing to do," Williams says. "Particularly as you take on your 20/20 vision campaign for expansion. This airport will be virtually a new facility and the time is right for this name change."
The commission voted unanimously in support of the name change after 30 minutes of public comment.
The airport says new signage and branding will appear highlighting the new name in the coming months.
Statement from former President Clinton
"Hillary and I are humbled by the Little Rock Airport Commission's decision this morning. We are grateful for this honor and for all that the people of Arkansas have done for us. And we look forward to many happy landings at the airport in the years ahead."
