[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 17 (Tuesday, February 11, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E205]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 INTRODUCTION OF LEGISLATION TO REQUIRE THE INSTALLATION OF EMERGENCY 
                    LOCATOR TRANSMITTERS ON AIRCRAFT

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BARBARA B. KENNELLY

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 11, 1997

  Mrs. KENNELLY. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise today to introduce 
the Airplane Emergency Locator Act with Mr. Shays. This important 
legislation would require the installation of emergency locator 
transmitters in small aircraft to save lives. Unfortunately, current 
law exempts many types of small planes, including Lear jets from the 
requirement to install these lifesaving devices.
  This past Christmas Eve, two Connecticut residents piloting a plane 
to New Hampshire crashed near the Lebanon Municipal Airport. An 
extensive search in cooperation with the Federal Government and six 
States including Connecticut was unsuccessful in locating the plane or 
any survivors. This plane did not have an emergency locator device, 
which could have made a difference in saving the lives of these two 
men.
  Timing is such a critical element in rescue operations. Providing 
additional tools for search and rescue teams to locate plane crashes 
more quickly can mean the difference between life and death. It is 
unfortunate that tragedy prompted the introduction of this legislation. 
But it is my hope that this event will force the necessary changes to 
aid future rescue efforts and save lives.
  I applaud my colleague Christopher Shays for taking the lead of this 
lifesaving legislation and I am pleased to join him today in 
introducing this bill, and I urge all my colleagues to join us in 
supporting the Airplane Emergency Locator Act.

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