[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 89 (Tuesday, June 17, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1277]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      FLIGHT 100--CENTURY OF AVIATION REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2003

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                               speech of

                          HON. JOSEPH R. PITTS

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 11, 2003

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 2115) to 
     amend title 49, United States Code, to reauthorize programs 
     for the Federal Aviation Administration, and for other 
     purposes,

  Mr. PITTS. Mr. Chairman, it is important that in determining the EAS 
eligibility for a small airport the Secretary define a consistent 
standard for identifying the commonly used route.
  It is my hope that the Secretary would use the most reliable mapping 
capability to determine this route, such as the Rand McNally mapping 
system.
  Further, to ensure that small airports receive a fair shake in the 
EAS eligibility process, my amendment requires that the Secretary 
consult with the Governor of the State or the Governor's designee.
  In appointing a designee if the Governor so chooses, the Governor 
should consider designating a metropolitan planning organization (MPO) 
to submit a plan for the most commonly used route. An MPO knows the 
routes that people take from one point to another in a particular 
region.
  My amendment was drafted to ensure that, while the Secretary of 
Transportation has discretion, the local community should not be shut 
out of the process.

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