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


           OPPOSITION TO PRIVATIZING AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Keller). Under a previous order of the 
House, the gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Shows) is recognized for 5 
minutes.
  Mr. SHOWS. Mr. Speaker, tonight I rise to express my concern in 
opposition to privatizing air traffic controllers in airports across 
our country.
  I do not know about my colleagues, Mr. Speaker, but the safety of the 
flying public should not be done by the lowest bidder. Congress has 
already determined that privatization does not guarantee better 
service, safety, or efficiency.
  Frankly, we were all shocked to learn of the President's executive 
order, released last Friday, deleting the words ``an inherently 
governmental function'' from an executive order of December 2000 
regarding air traffic controllers, which set the wheels of 
privatization into motion.
  It is amazing to me that this Congress has invested billions of 
dollars on a new agency to federalize baggage screeners while at the 
same time entertaining the idea of contracting out our important air 
traffic control positions for the cheapest offer. This is an illogical 
step and inconsistent with our previous attempts to ensure a safe means 
of transportation.
  We should heed warnings from other countries that are currently 
struggling under privatization. The privatized systems of Canada and 
Great Britain have not worked. Canada has delayed buying new equipment, 
postponed hiring new controllers, and even increased fees to cover 
costs.

                              {time}  2030

  Great Britain resorted to the banks for a bailout. Is this the system 
we want to follow? In talking about privatization and Social Security, 
I think we have a comparison. Look what happened to the stock market. 
What would happen if we privatized Social Security today.
  We talk about competition. I wish the President and the 
administration would look at competition towards pharmaceutical 
companies and bidding on the Medicare prescription drug program, having 
pharmaceutical companies bid to get the business of Medicare for 
pharmaceutical drugs for our seniors. It makes it competitive, but they 
will not talk about that. During the confusion of September 11, our 
hard-working air traffic controllers landed 5,000 planes in less than 2 
hours without one operational error. Should we privatize a system that 
performed so efficiently and accurately during the most critical day of 
all days?
  I hope this Congress is not fooled by the promise, or gimmick, of 
privatization.

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