[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 48 (Tuesday, April 16, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E543]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO JACK SHAFFER

                                 ______


                            HON. BUD SHUSTER

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 16, 1996

  Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Mr. Jack 
Shaffer. No words could better describe the character of Jack Shaffer 
than were expressed in Time magazine on the naming of his new cabinet 
officers by President Nixon in 1968, ``cool competence rather than 
passion or brilliance.''
  Many of our Nations' leaders are born in small rural towns. Everett, 
PA on Feb. 25, 1919, was Jack's birthplace. He grew up much the same as 
any small town boy would. Appointed to West Point in 1941, where he 
played football, he was a member of the first class to receive airmen's 
wings upon graduation. From there he went to transition flight school, 
thence to England where he flew forty-six combat missions over Europe 
in a B-26.
  Staying in the Air Force, he became a project officer in Ohio 
directing the engineering development of the B-47 and B-50 programs. He 
then resigned his commission and joined the Mercury division of the 
Ford Motor Co., moving to Washington as corporate vice president for 
customer requirements of TRW Inc.
  With the return of the Republican Party to the Presidency in 1968, 
President Nixon selected him to become Administrator of the Federal 
Aviation Administration and he was easily confirmed by the Senate.
  Having volunteered his time to the Agency before confirmation, he 
recognized the need for a massive increase in the civil aviation 
infrastructure. He saw, as his first priority, the need to modernize 
and update the Nation's air traffic control and airport systems. He 
also recognized that the surrounding environment needed protection. 
Although he was at odds with others in the administration, he stuck to 
his principles and succeed in passing, through a Democratic Congress, 
the Airport and Airway Development Acts of 1970. The Legislation set 
aside a trust fund for airport construction which is still a vital 
element in providing for the ever-increasing use of air transportation, 
not only in the United States but throughout the world.

  In order to protect the flying public, although faced with strong 
opposition, he also established regulations to limit the number of 
flights per hour into five of the Nation's air traffic hubs. JFKennedy, 
Washington National, LaGuardia, O'Hare, and Chicago Midway. Although 
designed as a temporary fix, the restrictions still remain in place 
today. Growth continues to outpace capacity.
  Another issue with heavy international connotations was the increase 
in aircraft highjacking. Highjackers flew aircraft to Cuba for refuge 
and in several instances, passengers or crew were killed. Negotiations 
with Cuba and other countries denied these criminals a safe haven. 
Passengers and luggage were screened for weapons. With air marshalls 
assigned by the FAA, the number of highjackings decreased dramatically 
by 1972. However, some of the safety arrangements still exist. During 
his tenure air safety reached a new high. In 1970, only two deaths 
occurred on U.S. air carriers.
  The most difficult task for the Administrator was to instill 
confidence in the Agencies air traffic controllers. Following a sick-
out by controllers on duty, with as many as 50% of a single shift 
calling in sick, delays and flight cancellations became burdensome to 
the flying public. Finally, in 1972, it took court action to curtail 
their union activities. The Air Traffic Controller Career Act, 
spearheaded by Jack Shaffer, provided early retirement and retraining 
for its group, some 20,000 employees.
  As a result of these many advancements in the aviation system, Jack 
Shaffer, in 1972 was awarded the Wright Brothers' Trophy for 
outstanding service in advancing aviation. He was the first FAA 
Administrator to be so honored.
  One of Jack Shaffers' friends is the legendary golfer, Arnold Palmer, 
also raised in a small Western Pennsylvania town. In many regards, the 
two are a lot alike, sharing the same qualities; tenacity, desire, 
passion for what they do and love of the game of golf. Both have 
reached the pinnacle of their profession, are pilots, and remember 
their heritage.
  After leaving the FAA, Jack continued his career in the private 
sector acting as a consultant to Beech Aircraft Corp. and advancing the 
use of Liquid Natural Gas as a preserver of the environment. He is a 
role model for political appointees who move from the private sector to 
government when duty calls.
  Jack has been married to Joan for over fifty years and they have 
raised three fine children. He is currently in a nursing home in 
Frederick, MD, and is sorely missed by those who know him and have 
benefited by his influence on their lives.

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