[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 76 (Tuesday, June 11, 2002)]
[House]
[Pages H3431-H3432]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentlewoman from Minnesota (Ms. McCollum) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, today, like so many other Americans, I 
boarded a plane and I arrived safely at my destination. This is what 
the American people expect when they board a plane: safety, security, 
and the guarantee of a safe landing at the end of the flight.
  The American people hold the Federal Government accountable and 
responsible for the safety of our skies. Homeland security has become 
our Nation's top priority.
  On the same day that the administration proposed a Department of 
Homeland Security, President Bush also issued an executive order 
weakening the security of our skies by removing the air traffic 
controllers from the Federal Government. President Bush's action opens 
the door to privatizing this vital air safety role and risks placing 
corporate profits ahead of public safety.
  For this administration to declare air traffic controllers no longer 
an essential component of our Federal homeland security system 
undermines America's faith in air safety.
  In the few short hours after the attacks of September 11, air traffic 
controllers guided hundreds of thousands of Americans out of the skies 
to safety. Their heroic actions saved countless lives. Their dedication 
and professionalism should be honored just as we honor firefighters, 
police officers and emergency first responders who also performed 
heroically on September 11.
  The role of air traffic controllers in homeland security is vital 
every day and should never be discounted or weakened. The American 
people have an expectation that our skies are safe. The Federal 
Government and air traffic controllers, as employees, are responsible 
for providing that safety. Unfortunately, this executive order 
undermines air safety and weakens our homeland security, and it should 
be rescinded.

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