[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 124 (Wednesday, September 11, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1587]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




[[Page E1587]]



               FEDERAL AVIATION AUTHORIZATION ACT OF 1996

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                            HON. BOB FRANKS

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 10, 1996

  Mr. FRANKS of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in strong support 
of H.R. 3539, a bill which would reauthorize the Federal Aviation 
Administration. Although this bill contains many worthwhile provisions 
that will modernize and improve the FAA, I commend to my colleagues' 
attention an amendment I offered during committee consideration of this 
legislation that is of particular importance to my constituents, many 
of whom have been severely impacted by aircraft noise. Specifically, my 
amendment would establish the position of aircraft noise ombudsman 
within the FAA. My colleagues may recall that a nearly identical 
provision passed the House last March as part of H.R. 2276, the Federal 
Aviation Administration Revitalization Act of 1995.
  The idea of an aircraft noise ombudsman is long overdue. In my home 
State of New Jersey, the FAA has either arrogantly dismissed or totally 
ignored the pleas from my constituents for relief from intolerable 
aircraft noise. After the Expanded East Coast Plan [EECP] was 
implemented by the FAA in 1987, it took years for the FAA to even react 
to the significant increase in aircraft noise over New Jersey that 
resulted from their policies. The adoption of my amendment would ensure 
that the American people have an advocate in the FAA bureaucracy who 
will represent the concerns of residents affected by airline flight 
patterns.
  My amendment also gives citizens someone to turn to should they have 
a comment, complaint, or suggestion dealing with aircraft noise. As the 
experience in New Jersey demonstrates, the FAA views the very real 
concerns of constituents regarding aircraft noise as nothing more than 
a minor inconvenience. For example, when the FAA was flooded by 
telephone calls from irate citizens after the EECP was implemented, 
their response was to belatedly install an answering machine on a 
single telephone line which was constantly jammed and to which citizens 
were unable to get through. The insensitivity of this agency can no 
longer be tolerate. Our constituents deserve to talk to a real, live 
human being who can answer their questions about the decisions that 
directly affect their quality of life.
  Madam Speaker, my amendment is extremely important to the people of 
New Jersey and to the residents of any area that could find themselves 
severely impacted after the FAA announces a change in flight patterns. 
Already, my congressional office has received inquiries from around the 
country asking for the phone number of the aircraft noise ombudsman. I 
am sure the citizens who hear aircraft noise constantly, be they in New 
Jersey, Denver, or St. Louis, will be heartened by the passage of H.R. 
3539.
  Of course, this new position will only be as effective as the person 
occupying it. This is why I will be recommending to the administrator 
of the FAA that a person from outside the FAA, preferably from a 
citizens' aircraft noise organization, be appointed to fill this 
position. For example, a member from New Jersey Citizens Against 
Aircraft Noise [NJCAAN] would make an ideal aircraft noise ombudsman. 
NJCAAN members are personally familiar with the problem of aircraft 
noise, and understand the frustrations of citizens affected by aircraft 
noise.
  Furthermore, NJCAAN members are knowledgeable about how the FAA 
bureaucracy operates. An aircraft noise ombudsman from NJCAAN would 
also have a reservoir of credibility with the public on this issue--
something the FAA sorely lacks. For these reasons, I will be urging the 
FAA to carefully consider a NJCAAN member for this position.
  Madam Speaker, Chairman Duncan has done a superb job on this 
legislation. I also commend Dave Schaffer and Donna McLean of the House 
Aviation Subcommittee staff for their hard work on this worthy bill.
  Madam Speaker, my ombudsman provision is extremely important to the 
residents of any area of the Nation affected by aircraft noise. I urge 
my colleagues to vote yes for this excellent bill.

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