Ryan Voices Opposition to House Resolution 2107 in Address to House Subcommittee

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Governor George H. Ryan today urged the House Aviation Subcommittee to reject House Resolution 2107 that would strip Illinois and 25 other states of their current statutory authority over the development of public airports.

"House Resolution 2107 would create a huge and dangerous canyon in the principle that each state has control over its sovereign territory and is free from undue federal interference in the use of its land," Gov. Ryan told the Committee.

Governor Ryan told the House Aviation Subcommittee that House Resolution 2107 would violate the 10th Amendment of the United States Constitution.

He also reminded the committee several major Illinois projects have included various levels of federal cooperation, but allowed the local officials to exercise control over the placement or roads, homes, schools, businesses, dams, parks, utilities and airports.

"The federal government has participated generously with funding for a multitude of projects--highways, housing developments, waterways and airports," Gov. Ryan said. "And many times, the federal government has suggested improvements and projects in many states.

"But always local officials who speak for the people they represent, have the power to say "yes or no" on the development or improvement of land. That power over sovereign territory was not granted to the federal government in the Constitution, nor were the states and other local governments prevented from exercising that power. Under the 10th Amendment, control over a state's territory, then, is reserved for each state."