Utah's two Republican congressmen, Rob Bishop and Chris Cannon, have issued a joint statement saying the takeover bid "causes us great concern, considering the excellent progress Delta has made in its corporate transformation, its importance to the state of Utah in terms of jobs and overall benefit to the economy and the potential economic harm a takeover attempt might bring to Utah's citizens, Delta employees and Delta passengers."

Rep. Jim Matheson, D-Utah, in a statement issued shortly after the bid was announced, said he is "committed to ensuring that Delta emerges as a strong competitor with its major western U.S. hub in Salt Lake City." The statement did not take a specific position on the merger, and his spokeswoman, Alyson Heyrend, said Tuesday that Matheson was unreachable because of a busy day in Washington.

"He's following the whole thing really closely," she said, adding that he has met with Delta representatives.

Huntsman's spokesman Mike Mower said the governor has spoken with Delta representatives, and while he did not take an outright position on the proposed merger, Mower said, "Delta is a vitally important part of our community. We recognize that much of our economic success as a state is tied to the fact that Delta has a strong presence here."

The Salt Lake Chamber expects to consider a policy statement expressing its position on the takeover at its board meeting next week, spokeswoman Natalie Gochnour said.

"As a business community we want to do everything we can to maintain the hub presence," she said.

• In other business Tuesday, the council heard a request from Tracy Aviary officials to boost by $200,000 the money the Liberty Park facility receives from the city.

The aviary in September lost its accreditation with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums because of aging infrastructure.

The city currently gives the aviary $250,000 each year. The additional $200,000 would be split among a new design for the Wilson Pavilion, the hiring of a development director to focus on raising money from private sources, renovations to the eastern entrance and increasing marketing efforts.

The aviary can reapply for accreditation in 2008.

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E-mail: dsmeath@desnews.com