[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 34 (Wednesday, March 13, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E346-E347]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION REVITALIZATION ACT OF 1995

                                 ______


                               speech of

                         HON. MICHAEL F. DOYLE

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 12, 1996

  Mr. DOYLE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2276, the FAA 
Revitalization Act. This bill illustrates that viable, productive 
solutions can be achieved when both parties examine an issue 
thoughtfully and approach reform reasonably. In my view, H.R. 2276

[[Page E347]]

serves both to increase the safety of air travel while protecting the 
rights and needs of air traffic personnel. Recent events at the 
Pittsburgh International Airport near my district in western 
Pennsylvania showcase the difficulties which can inhibit maintaining a 
high degree of air traffic safety in our country.
  The development of a new procurement system will help to ensure that 
air traffic personnel obtain proper safety equipment in a more timely 
manner. The reduction of the often overwhelmingly burdensome Federal 
procurement rules will increase safety effectiveness as well as guard 
against increased costs, waste, and abuse. As I am always concerned how 
legislation will affect the working men and women in Pennsylvania's 
18th Congressional District, I am pleased that H.R. 2276 explicitly 
states that new FAA personnel systems would not be exempt from 
whistleblowers protection laws, laws prohibiting discrimination or 
strikes, workers and unemployment compensation, retirement, labor-
management relations, and life and health insurance laws. The air 
traffic workers in my district support this legislation, and eagerly 
anticipate its enactment so that they will be able to maximize their 
ability to maintain the high level of air traffic safety that is 
absolutely necessary.
  I would like to conclude my remarks with words of encouragement for 
removing the Federal Airport and Airway Trust Fund from the unified 
Federal budget. As a cosponsor of H.R. 842, the Truth in Budgeting Act, 
I was disappointed to find that off-budget provisions were deleted from 
the final language of the bill. As a cosponsor, I encourage my 
colleagues to support final passage of H.R. 2276 today, and I look 
forward to debating the merits of H.R. 842 in the near future. 
Revitalizing the FAA will benefit travelers, air traffic personnel, and 
the efficiency and effectiveness of the overall safety of air travel.

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