[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 90 (Wednesday, July 13, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: July 13, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
 IN SUPPORT OF A REQUIREMENT FOR INFANT SAFETY RESTRAINTS ON AIRPLANES

  (Mrs. UNSOELD asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Mrs. UNSOELD. Mr. Speaker, one of the victims of last week's tragic 
USAir crash in Charlotte, NC, was a 9-month-old baby flying 
unrestrained on her mother's lap. The mother, who survived with 
injuries, tried with all her might to hold on to her daughter. She 
simply could not do it.
  You may think larger person--a stronger person--could have held on to 
that baby. Think again. During a crash landing, a 30-pound child feels 
more like a 480-pound weight, 480 pounds.
  Clearly, the Federal Aviation Administration recognizes the risk 
parents take by flying with infants on their laps. That is why the FAA 
recommends infants be secured during take off and landing. But they 
cannot bring themselves to require it. That is right--they require that 
you, the other passengers, the flight attendants, the pilot, the bags 
in the overhead compartment and the soda cans in the kitchen be 
secured, but not your infant. This is crazy--and it can be deadly.
  All I am asking is that children under the age of 2 be given the same 
protections as you or I. Please support the youngest and most 
vulnerable of your constituents. Think of their futures. Support H.R. 
1533, legislation Representative Lightfoot and I introduced to require 
infant safety restraints on airplanes. Better still, urge the FAA to 
take the initiative to require infant restraints without an act of 
Congress.

                          ____________________