Whereas, in 1997, Washington National Airport was officially renamed as Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, to honor the many contributions of our 41st President; and

Whereas, the all-Democrat Arlington County Board and Cong. Jim Moran lobbied against that renaming, despite widespread popular support; and

Whereas, the airport is now commonly referred to as "Reagan Airport" by area residents and by visitors to the Washington area; and in airline schedules, on highway signs, and in other traveler information; and

Whereas, the Metrorail station serving the airport is still identified by the old "National Airport" name, despite the official renaming; and

Whereas, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) frequently renames Metrorail stations, typically at the request of the relevant jurisdiction, to reflect more accurately the names of nearby destinations; and

Whereas, the name of the airport Metrorail station could easily be updated to conform to the "Reagan Washington National Airport" name; and

Whereas, Arlington County Board member Chris Zimmerman, who serves as the county’s representative to WMATA, has consistently refused to agree to update the station name, even though the airport itself was renamed several years ago; and

Whereas, Mr. Zimmerman’s position places the Metrorail station in non-conformity with the airport’s official name, and can result in unnecessary confusion to visitors, as well as needless disrespect to the former President;

Now, therefore, the Arlington County Republican Committee resolves:

We urge Chris Zimmerman and other County Board members to recognize that the airport has in fact been renamed; and

We further call upon Mr. Zimmerman to request that WMATA bring the name of the Metrorail station into conformity with the name of the airport it serves: "Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport."

Considered and adopted by the Arlington County Republican Committee at its monthly meeting on March 22, 2001, in Arlington, Virginia.

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