[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 1 (Wednesday, January 6, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E5]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 INTRODUCTION OF BILL TO EXTEND THE AVIATION WAR RISK INSURANCE PROGRAM

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                            HON. BUD SHUSTER

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, January 6, 1999

  Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, the War Risk Insurance Program has operated 
successfully for over 45 years. Last year, the program was extended to 
March 31, 1999. This bill would reauthorize the program for another 
four and a half years.
  Airline insurance is essential to any airline operation. However, 
commercial insurance companies will often not insure flights to high 
risk areas, such as countries at war or on the verge of war.
  In many cases, flights into these dangerous situations are required 
to further the United States' foreign policy or national security 
policy. For example, in Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm, 
commercial airlines were needed to ferry troops and equipment to the 
Middle East. Commercial airlines would not have flown these flights 
without the insurance provided through the War Risk Program.
  I intend to act promptly on this bill so as to guarantee that the War 
Risk Insurance Program does not expire.

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