James L. Oberstar Sentinel of Safety Award

OberstarHeadShot 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. The award is presented annually at NATCA’s Communicating for Safety conference.

JeanOberstar

On Oct. 2, 2014, at the Minneapolis Convention, 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. Congressman Oberstar died on May 3, 2014, just a few weeks before NATCA in Washington, the event he supported and attended for many years, and at which in 2005 he was awarded the first Sentinel of Safety Award.

Congressman Oberstar didn’t just talk about unions or work with unions. He WAS union. He once famously told a gathering of NATCA members that the National Airspace System and aviation safety was “in your hands. Good hands. Great hands. Great minds. Great people. NATCA people.”

NATCA welcomed the late Congressman’s wife, Jean, to Minneapolis at the 2014 Convention to honor his commitment to safety and to NATCA. She is pictured at right with (left to right) NATCA President Paul Rinaldi, former Executive Vice President Dr. Ruth Stilwell, former President John Carr, and Executive Vice President Trish Gilbert.

2005 Sentinel of Safety: Rep. James Oberstar

The National Air Traffic Controllers Association saluted Rep. James Oberstar, D-Minn., with the first Sentinel of Safety award during NATCA in Washington 2005. NATCA created the Sentinel of Safety award as a way to honor a […]

2006 Sentinel of Safety: Sen. Frank Lautenberg

NATCA presented the 2006 Sentinel of Safety award to Sen. Frank Lautenberg, D-N.J., for his continued dedication and commitment to the aviation industry. He retired from the Senate in 2000 after 18 years of service, but […]

2007 Sentinel of Safety: Rep. Jerry Costello and Rep. Steven LaTourette

NATCA honored Rep. Jerry Costello, D-Ill., and Rep. Steven LaTourette, R-Ohio, with the third annual Sentinel of Safety award during each Congressman’s respective appearances at NATCA in Washington 2007. NATCA created the Sentinel of Safety Award […]

2008 Sentinel of Safety: Rep. Peter DeFazio and Rep. Frank LoBiondo

NATCA honored Rep. Peter DeFazio, D-Ore., and Rep. Frank LoBiondo, R-N.J., with its annual Sentinel of Safety award during each Congressman’s respective appearances NATCA’s 2008 annual legislative conference, NATCA in Washington. The Sentinel of Safety award […]

2009 Sentinel of Safety: Rep. Alcee L. Hastings

Rep. Alcee L. Hastings, D-Fla., whose impassioned dedication to aviation safety has been highlighted by his efforts to demand accountability and a thorough examination of flawed and secretive Federal Aviation Administration efforts to realign air traffic […]

2010 Sentinel of Safety Award: Jane Garvey

In honor of her dedication to aviation, NATCA awarded former Federal Aviation Administrator Jane Garvey with its Sentinel of Safety Award, its highest honor for those outside of the organization who have displayed outstanding achievements in […]