[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 33 (Wednesday, March 22, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E377]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




WENDELL H. FORD AVIATION INVESTMENT AND REFORM ACT FOR THE 21ST CENTURY

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                               speech of

                           HON. MERRILL COOK

                                of utah

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 15, 2000

  Mr. COOK. Mr. Speaker, I want to express my strong support for the 
conference agreement provisions in AIR 21 which allow exemptions to the 
current perimeter rule at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. I 
believe these provisions fairly balance the interest of members from 
communities inside the perimeter and those of us from western states, 
who currently do not have convenient access to Reagan National.
  While I would have preferred the complete elimination of the 
perimeter rule, the final agreement includes 12 slots, which is a small 
step in the right direction. Now the Department of Transportation must 
ensure that all parts of the West benefit. I am particularly concerned 
that small- and mid-sized communities in the West, especially in the 
northern tier, have improved access through hubs like Salt Lake City.
  Improved access to Reagan National from hubs like Salt Lake City will 
improve service to our Nation's Capital for dozens of Western cities 
beyond the perimeter--consistent with the overall intent of the bill to 
improve air service to small and medium-sized cities.
  As this legislation has progressed, our goal has been to improve air 
service for communities which have not experienced the benefits of 
deregulation to the extent of larger markets. The provisions related to 
improved access to Reagan National is no different. Today, passengers 
from small- and medium-sized communities in the West are forced to 
double or even triple connect to fly to Reagan National. My goal is 
that passengers from all points west of the perimeter will have better 
options to reach Washington and Ronald Reagan Washington National 
Airport via connections at Western hubs like Salt Lake City. Large 
cities, which already have a variety of point-to-point service options, 
are not intended to be the only beneficiaries of this legislation. I 
trust the DOT will ensure that small and medium-sized cities like Salt 
Lake City are given the opportunity to receive some of these new slots 
as well.

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