[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 129 (Monday, October 1, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Page S9956]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                BENEFITS FOR DISLOCATED AIRLINE WORKERS

  Mrs. LINCOLN. Mr. President, I commend my friend and colleague, 
Senator Carnahan, for her efforts on behalf of dislocated workers in 
the airline industry. I am proud to be a cosponsor of this legislation 
which will benefit thousands of workers who have or will lose their job 
because of the tragic events on September 11.
  I want to say a special word of thanks to Senator Carnahan and her 
staff for working with me to clarify that employees of maintenance 
suppliers to commercial air carriers are covered under the language in 
the bill. This was an important point for me because of the impact the 
September 11 attacks has already had on aviation maintenance businesses 
in my State.
  Reebaire Aircraft, Inc. located in Mena, AR, is just one example of 
why the dislocated worker assistance provided for in this bill is so 
important. Prior to September 11, Reebaire Aircraft had a thriving 
business with 101 workers and was in the process of expanding its 
workforce. Today, Reebaire employs only 15 workers and the owner has 
informed me that Reebaire may have to cease operations by the end of 
October. Reebaire's fate is directly related to the terrorist attacks 
because eighty percent of its business was based on maintenance 
contracts with commercial air carriers who have cancelled future work 
orders with Reebaire indefinitely.
  Again, I commend my colleague for her efforts on behalf of our 
Nation's working families.
  Mrs. CARNAHAN. I appreciate the support of my friend from Arkansas 
and I am honored to add her name as a cosponsor of my legislation. As I 
explained to the Senator earlier, it is certainly my intent to cover 
dislocated employees of companies that contract directly with 
commercial air carriers for maintenance and related services if the 
employees lose their job because of the September 11 terrorist attacks.

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