[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 53 (Tuesday, April 29, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E769]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            A SUCCESS STORY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BARNEY FRANK

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 29, 1997

  Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts. Mr. Speaker, one thing that we do not do 
often enough is to go back to predictions that are made about 
legislation by both supporters and opponents and see whether these 
predictions have been born out. One somewhat controversial bill we 
passed recently was the General Aviation Revitalization Act of 1994, 
which altered liability law regarding aircraft. That legislation was 
strongly resisted by many who do not think we should not make any 
change in the product liability system in this country. I joined with 
the leading House proponent of the bill, the then Representative from 
Kansas who is now the Secretary of Agriculture. With his leadership 
role, despite opposition from some within the Judiciary Committee, we 
eventually passed the bill which became the General Aviation 
Revitalization Act, which the President signed into law in August 1994. 
I think it is reasonable to note that the consequences of that bill as 
of now have been entirely favorable. Thousands of new jobs have been 
created in the aircraft manufacturing industry, including a renewal of 
manufacturing of single engine aircraft. I am also not aware of any 
danger to aircraft safety that anyone can point to as a consequence of 
that act. While obviously we will continue to monitor the results of 
this, I think it is important to note that to date, 2\1/2\ years after 
its passage, the results of the enactment to this bill has been no 
decrease in safety, while we have seen a significant increase in 
economic activity of a productive sort. The General Aviation 
Revitalization Act of 1994 has to date vindicated the views of those of 
us who pressed for it and I think it is important to note that.

                          ____________________