[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 84 (Tuesday, June 15, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1264]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          RESTORE THE TRUST WITH AMERICA'S AVIATION PASSENGERS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. DOUG BEREUTER

                              of nebraska

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 15, 1999

  Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Speaker, this Member would like to commend to his 
colleagues the following editorial from the June 8, 1999, Norfolk 
(Nebraska) Daily News. The editorial expresses support for the AIR 21 
legislation and emphasizes the need to preserve the Aviation Trust Fund 
for its intended purposes.

         [From the Norfolk (Nebraska) Daily News, June 8, 1999]

Air Trust Funds Need Protection--Aviation Investment Act Would Preserve 
                  Sanctity of Taxes Paid by Passengers

       Battles have been waged at the state and federal levels 
     over whether gasoline tax receipts going into highway trust 
     funds should be preserved exclusively for road construction 
     and maintenance work. Some politicians would prefer that the 
     funds be available, when necessary, to pay for other needed 
     projects.
       The sanctity of the highway trust funds has always been 
     promoted in this space. Now, the same must be true for the 
     federal aviation trust fund.
       Although they may not realize it, every time a person buys 
     a plane ticket, he also pays a tax. The money received goes 
     into the federal aviation trust fund, which is a pot of money 
     earmarked to fix airports, runways and other essential parts 
     of aviation infrastructure.
       This year, according to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the 
     trust fund is expected to collect about $11 billion. Left 
     untouched, it would increase to about $63 billion in a few 
     years.
       But there are those who don't want to leave it untouched. 
     That's why the Aviation Investment and Reform Act for the 
     21st Century has been introduced and likely will be voted on 
     in Congress sometime in the next few weeks. If passed and 
     signed into law, it would preserve the trust fund for 
     aviation infrastructure purposes only. No diverting of funds 
     would be allowed.
       The U.S. Chamber is right when it says that passage of the 
     act is not only the fair thing to do, but also the right 
     thing to do.
       It's fair because it would be a breach of faith to use 
     those airline tax funds for other purposes. It's right 
     because aviation infrastructure in the United States is 
     deteriorating because of high usage. Neglecting to meet the 
     current and future needs of the aviation system will only 
     result in increased airline delays and compromised safety.
       Domestic air travel has grown by 27 percent to 655 million 
     passengers annually in the past five years. Within the next 
     10 years, the number of passengers served is expected to 
     surpass 1 billion annually. The nation's runways will require 
     rehabilitation to keep up with that demand. There also is a 
     need to improve air traffic control systems.
       Congress should do the right and fair thing and pass the 
     Aviation Investment and Reform Act for the 21st Century. 
     Leave those aviation trust funds alone.

     

                          ____________________