[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 122 (Monday, September 15, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Pages S9333-S9334]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. WARNER:
  S. 1177. A bill to prohibit the exhibition of B-2 and F-117 aircraft 
in public air shows not sponsored by the Armed Forces; to the Committee 
on Armed Services.


         THE PUBLIC AIR SHOW EXHIBITION PROHIBITION ACT OF 1997

  Mr. WARNER. Madam President, I am going to momentarily send a bill to 
the desk which will prohibit the use of F-117 aircraft and B-2 aircraft 
in public shows.
  Madam President, I was stunned to learn last night of this tragic 
accident, and in no way does my action reflect any discredit on the 
pilot or in any way prejudge the outcome of this tragic accident. 
Indeed, there are facts at this moment which indicate this pilot took a 
risk of life to possibly avoid a greater degree of risk to others. As I 
listened to that report, I thought back to my own experience in Korea 
in 1951. My commanding officer--I remember him very well--Lt. Col. Al 
Gordon, U.S. Marine Corps, took off in his AD-1 bomber, and he 
experienced fire over a community. He stayed with his aircraft in order 
to avoid that aircraft going into a community, and as a consequence it 
lost altitude. When he finally bailed out, there was insufficient 
distance between the aircraft and the ground. His chute streamed and he 
lost his life. I remember it so well because I was detailed to go out 
into the mountains and collect that brave officer.
  I believe that we as a nation should not be using this type of 
military asset in this type of show. This airplane, on a unit program 
cost, costs the taxpayers $100 million a copy. We only have 53 
remaining, and they are needed for special missions in the national 
security interests of this country. I just do not believe that type of 
asset can be put at this type of risk. The B-2 bomber is $2 billion a 
copy.
  Madam President, I stand with some embarrassment because I realize my 
office and others are besieged with requests from communities and 
constituents to provide these aircraft for air shows. The aircraft do 
enhance an air

[[Page S9334]]

show a great deal, but I feel it is a matter of principle that this 
Nation cannot subject that costly an aircraft, one that is essential to 
the performance of specialized missions, in this type of circumstance. 
As a result, I will submit this bill. Further, I am going to consider 
this issue in the course of the conference between the House and the 
Senate on the 1998 authorization bill. It will undoubtedly provoke some 
comment which I will listen to very carefully. I just wanted to express 
the heartfelt feelings of one Senator that we have to look more 
carefully at the use of these very costly systems in connection with 
public air shows such as this.
  I yield the floor and thank my colleagues.
                                 ______