New USO Opens at Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston
HOUSTON, Sept. 1 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The Houston Airport System (HAS) announces the grand opening of a new 1,200-square-foot United Service Organization (USO) facility at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH). The new $300,000 facility opened in the Mickey Leland International Terminal D across from gate D-2.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090901/DC69493)
In honor of the grand opening, Houston Mayor Bill White proclaimed September 1 as “Houston Bush Intercontinental Airport USO Center Day.” About 100 people gathered for the ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the grand opening.
“Service is a responsibility you don’t take lightly and it is important we pay tribute and express gratitude to those who have and continue to fight for freedom,” said Eric Potts, interim director of aviation for Houston. “Traveling can be stressful and lonely, so it is important to us to make sure our troops are a little more comfortable and we show them they are valued.”
The Houston Airport System joined forces with Jim “Mattress Mack” McIngvale of Gallery Furniture, who generously donated furniture, large screen televisions, DVD players, movies and gaming stations.
“Gallery Furniture is extremely proud to furnish USO Centers throughout the world, but this center is especially close to our heart being right here in our hometown of Houston,” says Jim McIngvale, owner of Gallery Furniture. “Our Team is working hard to make sure the USO center at Bush Intercontinental Airport will be a welcoming place for our brave soldiers and show them what Texas hospitality is all about.”
The USO center at IAH offers the following comforts:
- Entertainment lounge with theatre seating
- Quiet room
- Children’s play room
- Gaming room
- Cyber Cafe
- Luggage storage
- Flight information display monitors
- Kitchen area
Servicemen, servicewomen and their families, will be able to enjoy hot food, pre-packaged snacks and beverages, which are donated by Mr. and Mrs. Norm Phillips.
“Our gratitude is best expressed by the smile on the face of every troop and military family member who enters this home away from home,” said USO president Sloan Gibson, who attended the grand opening.
The Houston Airport System served more than 50 million passengers in 2008, ranking as the 4th largest multi-airport system in the U.S. and the 6th largest in the world. Houston airports contribute over $24 billion to the economy and employ more than 151,000 people. www.fly2houston.com
SOURCE Houston Airport System
