[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 37 (Thursday, March 20, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2725-S2726]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          EXPRESSING CONCERNS ABOUT AIRPORT IMPROVEMENT BUDGET

 Mr. HOLLINGS. Mr. President, I want to express my concern with 
the President's proposal for the budget of the Federal Aviation 
Administration. We all know how important aviation is to our economy, 
contributing more than $770 billion in direct and indirect benefits. In 
South Carolina, travel and tourism is the No. 2 industry, accounting 
for almost 100,000 jobs. The industry is fueled by the aviation 
industry.
  The President has talked a lot about a bridge to the 21st century. 
Bridges and highway projects are critical parts of our Nation's 
infrastructure. But so are airports. I have an airport in almost every 
county of my State. We have a strong airport system, but one that needs 
money to rebuild and expand. The $1 billion proposal falls far short of 
what is needed. It is a shortsighted approach to meeting our country's 
needs. It also undoes a deal that we had last year with the 
administration. I am certain that the new Secretary wants to make sure 
that our Nation's infrastructure needs are addressed, and I want to 
work with him on ways to meet those needs.
  The President has proposed a $1 billion airport improvement program. 
The airport community claims that nationwide it needs almost $10 
billion per

[[Page S2726]]

year. In my State alone, money for airports is critically needed for 
small and large projects. Without adequate funding, these airports 
cannot expand and cannot begin to attract new businesses. I can cite 
many examples of this, but one that comes to mind is the Greenville-
Spartanburg Airport project. Without an AIP grant, the runway would not 
have been lengthened. It helped BMW decide to locate in South Carolina. 
Airport grants mean business opportunities.

                          ____________________