[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 157 (Sunday, November 9, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S12408]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




REAUTHORIZING THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION RESEARCH, ENGINEERING 
                        AND DEVELOPMENT ACCOUNT

 Mr. GORTON. Mr. President, I want to thank my colleagues for 
working with me over the past few weeks, and in particular the past few 
days, to enact legislation to reauthorize the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA) Research, Engineering, and Development (R,E&D) 
account for fiscal years 1998 and 1999.
  Senators McCain, Hollings, and Ford joined me in introducing this 
important legislation. The Commerce Committee recently took up the 
House bill and reported it out with an amendment in the nature of a 
substitute. The leadership of the Senate Commerce Committee and the 
House Science Committee have already met to resolve the differences 
between the House and Senate versions of the bill. I am pleased to 
report that the floor amendment to H.R. 1271 reflects the agreement 
that the conferees have reached on a final package. The House should be 
able to accept and approve H.R. 1271, as amended, before this session 
ends.
  The FAA R,E&D account finances projects to improve the safety, 
security, capacity and efficiency of the U.S. aviation system. These 
significant research and development efforts include the development of 
new fire-resistant insulation materials for use on aircraft, the 
development of procedures for enhancing terminal area capacity and 
safety, the improvement of aircraft collision avoidance technology, and 
a host of other noteworthy projects.
  This bill also fosters the strong public-private partnership that has 
been established in the aviation research and development area. The 
FAA, for instance, is working with Boeing to develop a world-class 
airport pavement testing facility. Boeing is providing one-third of the 
costs of this project, which total $21 million. This project will help 
ensure that the U.S. keeps pace with the rest of the world in 
developing the infrastructure to accommodate the new super jumbo 
aircraft.
  Again, I commend my colleagues' commitment, and their assistance with 
this effort.




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