Item E7 E7
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
COUNTY of MONROE i Mayor Holly Merrill Raschein,District 5
The Florida Keys Mayor Pro Tern James K.Scholl,District 3
Craig Cates,District 1
Michelle Lincoln,District 2
' David Rice,District 4
Board of County Commissioners Meeting
November 19, 2024
Agenda Item Number: E7
2023-3282
BULK ITEM: No DEPARTMENT: Airports
TIME APPROXIMATE: STAFF CONTACT: Katie Atkins
n/a
AGENDA ITEM WORDING:
Mayor's Proclamation declaring November 2024 as Monroe County Aviation History Month and
recognizing both Key West International Airport and Florida Keys Marathon International Airport as
pillars of the communities they serve.
ITEM BACKGROUND:
Aviation plays a vital role in our local, state, and national economy, creating jobs and driving
innovation. November is National Aviation History Month with many municipalities across the United
States recognizing the importance of the industry's evolution and its importance today.
Aviation in the Florida Keys dates back to 1913 with a dangerous yet successful flight from Key West
to Havana, Cuba, by Domingo Rosillo del Toro in a Morane-Salnier monoplane.
Commercial service began at Key West International Airport in 1928 at what was then known as
Meacham Field. Florida Keys Marathon International Airport opened in 1943. It was built by the U.S.
Navy as an auxiliary airfield for Naval Air Station Key West and was deactivated as a military facility
at the end of World War II. It was then transferred to the Monroe County Board of County
Commissioners for use as a civilian airport.
This proclamation recognizes the significance of local aviation, its role and transformation throughout
history, and honors those who have dedicated their working lives to the prosperity of both Key West
and Marathon airport facilities.
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PREVIOUS RELEVANT BOCC ACTION:
N/a
INSURANCE REQUIRED:
No
CONTRACT/AGREEMENT CHANGES:
n/a
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: n/a
DOCUMENTATION:
Aviation History Month.docx
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
None
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Mayor's Proclamation DECLARING NOVEMBER 2024 AS MONROE COUNTY AVIATION
HISTORY MONTH
WHEREAS, November is National Aviation History Month with many municipalities
across the United States recognizing the importance of the industry's evolution and
importance; and
WHEREAS, aviation plays a vital role in our local, state, and national economy, creating
jobs and driving innovation; and
WHEREAS, aviation also plays a critical role in connections across boarders, disaster
relief, and national security; and
WHEREAS, the Florida Keys have a rich history of aviation dating back to 1913; and
WHEREAS, commercial service began at Key West International Airport (EYW) in 1928 at
what was then known as Meacham Field; and
WHEREAS, award-winning EYW continues to transform and improve service with plans
to open its new Concourse A in 2025; and
WHEREAS, EYW now provides nonstop commercial service to more than 20 destinations
and has an economic impact of$1.6 billion; and
WHEREAS, Florida Keys Marathon International Airport opened in 1943 and served the
U.S. Navy as an auxiliary airfield for Naval Air Station Key West and was transferred to
the Monroe County Board of County Commissioners for use as a civilian airport at the
end of WWII; and
WHEREAS, it is estimated the Marathon airport has a local economic impact of$235
million today; and
WHEREAS, it is important to recognize the significance of local aviation and its
transformation throughout history while honoring those who have dedicated their
working lives to the prosperity of both Key West and Marathon airport facilities,
NOW THEREFORE, be it proclaimed November 2024 as MONROE COUNTY AVIATION
HISTORY MONTH
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