PROCLAMATION

OF THE

PORT OF SEATTLE COMMISSION

WHEREAS, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA Airport) was officially

dedicated on July 9, 1949; and

WHEREAS, the Port of Seattle stepped forward in the 1940s to create the vision for

SEA in support of the federal Civilian Aviation Authorities goal to create a regional airport; and

WHEREAS, Port Commission President Horace Chapman stated that building the

airport, “is our duty, and if we can do it, we will;” and

WHEREAS, the current site of the airport was chosen to be between Seattle and Tacoma

as an advantage for passengers and transportation infrastructure across the region; and

WHEREAS, the official dedication of the passenger terminal building and naming of

the airport drew more than 30,000 people; and

WHEREAS, in its first year of operation, the airport, drew more than half a million

passengers - that number has grown to more than 50 million passengers in 2023; and

WHEREAS, since its dedication, the airport has grown to serve the people of the Pacific

Northwest with access to hundreds of domestic and global destinations and produces $20 billion

in economic activity annually; and

WHEREAS, the airport supports approximately 25,000 jobs across all of its airline and

tenant partners; and

WHEREAS, the airport is a gateway for many Washingtonians to explore the world for

both business and personal travel and serves millions of passengers annually.

NOW, THEREFORE, the Port of Seattle Commission hereby commemorates July 9

as Seattle-Tacoma International Airport Day on the airport’s 75

anniversary.

Agenda Item: 4a

Meeting Date: July 9, 2024