[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 46 (Friday, March 29, 1996)]
[House]
[Page H3175]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  URGING SUPPORT OF THE ESSENTIAL AIR SERVICE, A PROGRAM IMPORTANT TO 
                             RURAL AMERICA

  (Mr. BARRETT of Nebraska asked and was given permission to address 
the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. BARRETT of Nebraska. Mr. Speaker, as we begin the fiscal year 
1997 appropriations process, I'd like to call your attention to a small 
but important program to rural America--the Essential Air Service. EAS 
was created in the early 1980's to provide assistance to small 
communities, and to maintain an integrated, national air service 
network. Air service is vital to rural communities, it is their link to 
the rest of the world.
  Over the past several years, funding for EAS has steadily decreased, 
falling victim to an urban-dominated Congress, and budget cuts.
  Therefore, I've introduced an alternative to the EAS, the Small 
Community Air Service Act. My bill, H.R. 2881 would allow States to 
charge a small fee on passenger tickets to fund an EAS-type program. It 
would be designed by the State, and for the State. I believe my bill is 
a viable alternative to the current program.
  I ask my colleagues to seriously consider H.R. 2881. And as we 
continue the appropriations process I ask for your support of EAS.

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