LITTLE ROCK, Ark., March 21 (UPI) -- The Little Rock airport will be renamed in honor of Arkansas' most prominent political couple, Bill and Hillary Clinton, officials announced Wednesday.
The Arkansas capitol's airport, now called Little Rock National Airport, will be known as Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport, the Little Rock Municipal Airport Commission said in a news release.
The name change was approved at a commission meeting Tuesday, where the Clintons' years of service to the state were noted. Bill Clinton was the state's attorney general and governor before becoming a two-term U.S. president. Hillary Clinton was in private law practice and also worked on education and other policy issues in the state, before become U.S. first lady, U.S. senator from New York and secretary of state.
"We believe renaming our airport in their honor is a fitting way to recognize their service, and their position in Arkansas and our nation's history," commission President Jim Dailey said.
The name change coincides with a major construction project of upgrades, called the "2020 Vision Plan," already under way at the airport.
"Hillary and I are humbled by the Little Rock Airport Commission's decision this morning," ArkansasNews.com reported Bill Clinton said in a statement. "We are grateful for this honor and for all that the people of Arkansas have done for us. And we look forward to many happy landings at the airport in the years ahead."
