[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 54 (Friday, May 3, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E712]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


INTRODUCTION OF THE AERONAUTICS RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT REVITALIZATION 
                                  ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOHN B. LARSON

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 2, 2002

  Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in the month in 
which we celebrate the 75th anniversary of Charles Lindbergh's historic 
flight across the Atlantic to introduce bi-partisan legislation 
designed to revitalize an industry that is essential to maintaining 
this country's economic growth, technological superiority, and military 
might. Since Lindbergh's flight, aviation technology in the United 
States has reached a level of success and development unparalleled in 
world history. The overall success of our economy and our armed forces 
is strongly linked to the strength of the U.S. aerospace industrial 
base. However, despite the historical strength of this industry, it is 
clear that the United States is involved in a difficult struggle to 
maintain our preeminence in the aerospace field, both commercially and 
militarily.
  In January of 2001, the European Union unveiled its plan for gaining 
dominance in the global aerospace market entitled, European 
Aeronautics: A Vision for 2020. This plan lays out an ambitious, $93 
billion, 20-year agenda for winning global leadership in aeronautics 
and aviation. In stark contrast to the vision set by the Europeans, the 
U.S. has cut by half its expenditures on aerospace research & 
development (R&D) over the past two decades. This downward trend has 
coincided with a similar trend in the U.S. share of the world aerospace 
market, which declined from about 70% of the global market to less than 
50% now. Furthermore, the Administration has proposed to further cut 
aeronautics research by $58 million at NASA and $20 million at FAA for 
next year.
  As a result of these negative trends and the importance for the long-
term economic and security interest of the United States, I joined with 
a bipartisan group of my colleagues to introduce the Aeronautics 
Research and Development Revitalization Act. This legislation 
establishes a broad-based agenda to reinvigorate America's aeronautics 
and aviation R&D enterprise and maintain America's competitive 
leadership in aviation by:
  Reversing the trend of declining Federal investments in aeronautics 
and aviation R&D by doubling funding over five years. Funding is 
increased to $900 million in 2005 (approximately the level they were in 
1998), and $1.15 billion in 2007.
  Following the recommendations of the FAA's Research, Engineering and 
Development Advisory Committee, doubling funding over 5 years to $550 
million in 2007.
  Establishing a focal point for aeronautics R&D by re-establishing an 
Office of Aeronautics reporting directly to the NASA Administrator.
  Establishing an R&D initiative to develop technologies within a 
decade to build commercial no-noise, low-emissions, and be highly-
energy efficient. The goals would challenge NASA, industry, and 
academia to come up with revolutionary approaches to the propulsion, 
structures, avionics, and other technologies needed for such an 
initiative to succeed. Such technologies would be developed on a more 
ambitious timetable than is envisioned by the Europeans in their Vision 
2020 plan.
  Establishing an R&D initiative directed at reinvigorating the 
nation's rotorcraft R&D that will address the nation's civil and 
military needs for decades to come.
  Addressing the need for a long-term Federal R&D effort to develop 
technologies for an environmentally-friendly, commercially-viable 
supersonic transport capable of flight over land.
  Including, independent review mechanisms to ensure that the agency is 
pursuing technology concepts in a cost-effective manner. The objective 
of the legislation is for the Federal government to work with industry 
and academia to achieve challenging aeronautics goals--not to fund 
``make-work'' activities.
  Authorizing the establishment of one or more university-based centers 
for research in aviation training for flight crews and air traffic 
controllers as new technology and procedures are added to the nation's 
infrastructures.
  Establishing a program of scholarships to help replenish the nation's 
pool of aeronautical engineers.
  Tackling the problem of delays in and unreliability of the air 
transportations system directly by authorizing funds for NASA to work 
with NOAA on research to improve significantly the reliability of 2 to 
6 hour aviation weather forecasts.
  Providing a significant funding to allow increased attention to 
environment and energy-related projects and for research on increasing 
the capacity, efficiency and safety of the air traffic system.
  The basic premise of the legislation is that the U.S. can best meet 
the R&D challenge mounted by the Europeans and others through focused 
R&D investments that will enable future aircraft and rotorcraft 
technologies that are extremely quiet, fuel-efficient, and low in 
emissions of carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxides. The development of 
such aircraft will enable the U.S. aviation industry to dominate 
anticipated aviation markets, as well as create new markets in cities 
and regions whose airports have been underutilized because of perceived 
negative environmental impacts. In addition, the new aviation 
capabilities could allow innovative approaches to meeting the future 
demand for travel by the American public, open up new possibilities for 
the future national air traffic management system, and make aerospace 
technologies more environmentally friendly.
  The legislation is designed to reflect Congress' intent to respond to 
the challenge laid out in the European Vision 2020, through vigorous 
and robust increases to the FAA and NASA's aeronautics R&D funding.
  Seventy-five years after Charles Lindbergh's ingenuity and bravery 
began America's almost century-long dominance in aviation, leadership 
is required to sustain our aeronautics industry to make it as vibrant a 
symbol of America's might in the 21st century as it was in the 20th. 
Therefore, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

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