The governing body of San Francisco International Airport announced Tuesday that it will rename its international terminal in honor of the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein, a pioneer in California politics who died last year.
The action by the San Francisco Airport Commission came in response to a campaign by a group of notable local figures calling themselves the Dianne Feinstein 100-Plus Committee. The group, chaired by former San Francisco Mayor and former State Assembly Speaker Willie Brown, submitted a name change request to the commission in November.
“The naming of the San Francisco International Terminal in honor of Senator Feinstein is a fitting tribute to a woman who opened doors for so many other women leaders throughout the city, state and nation,” said Jim González, spokesman for the cluster.
González said that in addition to seeing a new name on terminal signs, international travelers will have the opportunity to reflect on someone “who is an incredible defender of democracy, someone who always opposed authoritarianism and was a leader in her own right.” of civil rights throughout all communities.”
Beyond the name change, the airport commission said it would collaborate with the Feinstein 100-Plus Committee on greater efforts to celebrate Feinstein's legacy at both the airport and the city of San Francisco.
After reviewing the proposal to rename the terminal, the airport commission said there were “compelling reasons to honor the candidate.”
In a news release, the commission listed several successful efforts led by Feinstein, including negotiating a 30-year lease and use agreement with airlines that transformed the airport's business and led to the construction of its first international terminal, which It was inaugurated in 1983.
The commission also highlighted Feinstein's role in bringing BART transit directly to the international terminal, supporting SFO's first online baggage screening system after 9/11, and helping SFO access new FAA technology to improve security and reduce delays.
There is no timeline yet for when the name change and other changes will take place.
Feinstein was the first woman to represent California in the Senate and the longest serving woman. She died of natural causes at age 90 in September.
