Recognizing May 4, 2004 as Southwest Airlines Day.

WHEREAS,

Southwest Airlines will enter the Philadelphia market on May 9, 2004, providing service to and from Philadelphia International Airport to destinations across the country; and,

WHEREAS,

Southwest Airlines was founded over 30 years ago by Rollin King and Herb Kelleher, and, since then, has become the fourth largest major airline in the country, flying more than 64 million passengers a year to 58 different cities; and,

WHEREAS,

Southwest Airlines was named the Best Low Cost Airline in the 2001, 2002, and 2003 Official Airline Guide (OAG) Airline of the Year awards. OAG is an independent provider of travel information, products and services; and,

WHEREAS,

Southwest has added nonstop service to Philadelphia to and from Fort Lauderdale, Houston, Los Angeles, Manchester, New Orleans, Raleigh-Durham and West Palm Beach; and,

WHEREAS,

Southwest is the Official Airline of the NHL and NBA and Proud Sponsor of the NFL, Southwest Airlines and has recently been named as the Official Airline of the NBA's Philadelphia 76ers, the NHL's Philadelphia Flyers, and the MLB's Philadelphia Phillies; and,

WHEREAS,

Bank One is welcoming Southwest Airlines to Philadelphia by renaming South Street, “Southwest Street,” for the day of May 4, 2004; now, therefore,

RESOLVED, BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA,

that we hereby recognize May 4, 2004, as Southwest Airlines Day to welcome Southwest to the City of Philadelphia and Philadelphia International Airport.

End