[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 54 (Thursday, April 3, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4841-S4842]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. HOLLINGS (for himself, Mr. Brownback, Mr. Rockefeller, Mr. 
        Inouye, Ms. Cantwell, and Mr. Kerry):
  S. 788. A bill to enable the United States to maintain its leadership 
in aeronautics and aviation; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation.
  Mr. HOLLINGS. Mr. President, I rise today to address a crucial issue 
that is affecting our competitiveness in the world economy. Since that 
first flight in 1903 when the Wright brothers took off on our great 
journey, the United States has piloted the course of aerospace and 
aviation technology development. Now that leading role is being 
threatened. The European Union has embarked on an ambitious plan to 
dominate the industry that historically we have led. Last year, for the 
first time, Airbus surpassed Boeing, by grabbing 54 percent of the 
market share in terms of aircraft units.
  Air travel is critical to our competitiveness in the global economy. 
The movement of passengers and goods throughout our nation feeds 
American business and keeps us close to our families and friends. The 
impact of civil aviation on the U.S. economy exceeds $900 billion a 
year, which is 9 percent of

[[Page S4842]]

the Gross National Product. In terms of jobs, civil aviation employs 11 
million Americans. We can not sit idle as this important industry is 
threatened.
  To compete we must have the most advanced and safest technology; yet 
the Air Traffic Management System in the United States is still reliant 
on ground-based technology that was developed over 30 years ago. 
Congress, FAA, NASA and the aviation industry must work together to 
update this system to accommodate future aviation demand and to take 
advantage of satellite navigation and advances in aircraft avionics. 
Historically upgrades to air traffic management have been slow and 
often come in over budget. We must focus on creating the next 
generation of air traffic management technology in a more efficient and 
effective manner that will enhance safety and increase capacity.
  Aerospace and aviation advancement are also dependent upon a well-
trained and skilled workforce. According to the Commission Report on 
Aerospace, 26 percent of the science, engineering and manufacturing 
workforce will be eligible to retire in the next five years. New 
entrants to the aerospace industry are at a historical low as the 
number of layoffs have increased. In order to maintain our dominance in 
aerospace, we must continue to foster a qualified workforce.
  Our international competitors have been persistent in providing 
government support to aerospace research and aeronautical advancement. 
The subsidies offered by our foreign competitors, hinder the U.S. 
companies that often bear the majority of the burden for research and 
development. In order to give our companies a competitive advantage and 
to ensure that advances in aviation and aerospace technology continue, 
Congress must invest ample resources in fundamental aeronautical 
research. The President's FY 04 budget proposal cuts investment in FAA 
and NASA research, engineering and development. This will only hasten 
our descent in this industry. During this time of competing interests 
for the Federal dollar we cannot be too quick to divest ourselves from 
needed research that will renew our aviation business and maintain our 
global dominance.

  To turn an idea into a product, the process is often tedious and 
long. NASA and FAA must promote technological advancement and enable 
American industry to bring their products to market. Collaboration with 
government and industry is critical to ensure that research efforts 
lead to viable products that will enhance our aerospace and aviation 
industry.
  As we reflect on the last 100 years of advancement in the aviation 
and aerospace fields we cannot help to be proud of our accomplishments. 
But, we cannot afford to be content with those successes. We must look 
higher, faster, and farther than we have before--that is the American 
prerogative. And so with the help of my colleagues Senators Brownback, 
Rockefeller, Inouye, Cantwell and Kerry, I have crafted legislation to 
increase aeronautical research, nurture our industry's workforce, and 
ensure a collaborative partnership between government and private 
industry with the goal of ensuring the ``Second Century of Flight'' is 
as exciting and awe inspiring as the first.
                                 ______