U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell Presented with NATCA’s James L. Oberstar Award

During Communicating For Safety, NATCA announced that our Union was honoring U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell of Washington with our James Oberstar Sentinel of Safety Award. On Nov. 13, NATCA President Nick Daniels met with Sen. Cantwell on Capitol Hill to present her with the award in person. 

This award is the highest honor that our Union bestows on individuals who are outside our organization. NATCA created the Sentinel of Safety Award as a way to honor aviation leaders outside NATCA who have displayed outstanding achievement in the advancement of aviation safety. At our Biennial Convention in 2014, in Minneapolis, NATCA proudly renamed the award to honor Congressman Jim Oberstar, who was a tireless advocate for aviation, air traffic control, and NATCA during his tenure in Congress and as the Chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.

Sen. Cantwell has represented Washington state in the U.S. Senate since 2001 and currently serves as Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Throughout her tenure, she has been a staunch advocate for aviation safety, playing a pivotal role in the passage of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024.

PHOTO (left to right): NATCA President Nick Daniels and Senator Maria Cantwell (Wash.)