Contact: Shana Stribling 202.224.0309
Wednesday, September 15, 2004

KIRKSVILLE, MO – Senator Kit Bond today announced that he secured almost $1 million in federal funds for the Kirksville Regional Airport.

"These funds for the Kirksville Regional Airport will increase pilot and passenger confidence," said Senator Kit Bond. "Our rural communities depend on safe and efficient transportation infrastructure to keep them connected to urban Missouri. I will continue to make improvements to our transportation system a top priority."

As a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Bond secured $975,000 for the Kirksville airport in the fiscal year 2005 Transportation Appropriations bill. The spending bill passed the Senate Appropriations Committee on Tuesday night. Before being signed into law the bill must be passed by the full U.S. Senate and reconciled with the House of Representatives' bill.

The almost $1 million in federal funds will be used to acquire and install Instrument Landing Systems, designed to provide an airplane pilot with precise guidance for the final approach in landing.

Kit Bond is Missouri’s senior Senator and is now in his third term after having served the state previously during two terms as Governor.