[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 20 (Tuesday, February 24, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E191]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          CAPTAIN JOHN DARRAH

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. MICHAEL C. BURGESS

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 24, 2004

  Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Captain John 
Darrah. For the last four years Captain Darrah has served as the 
president of the Allied Pilots Association (APA), the largest 
independent pilots' union in the world with more than 11,500 members.
  APA serves as the collective bargaining agent for all American 
Airlines pilots. It devotes more than 20 percent of its dues income to 
support aviation safety while working to improve benefits, pensions, 
hours of employment, and working conditions for its members.
  During the spring of 2003, the airline industry was distressed. Fears 
of terrorism, a troubled economy, and the war in Iraq were all causing 
a weak travel demand.
  This trend was especially hard on American Airlines. They announced 
that they would file for bankruptcy if they could not cut labor costs 
by $1.8 billion a year. If the pilots, ground workers, or flight 
attendants unions rejected the concessions package that was offered, 
the AMR Corp., the parent company of American Airlines, vowed to file 
Chapter 11.
  John Darrah was president of the Allied Pilots Association during 
this difficult time. He led his union to accept the concessions, 
staving off bankruptcy for AMR Corp. During the crisis he said, ``To 
willingly take our airline and our company into bankruptcy would not be 
a better alternative . . . There is no upside to bankruptcy.''
  As Captain Darrah's term as president of the APA comes to an end, I 
would like to commend him for the role he played in saving his airline 
and his company from bankruptcy. He has stood up to harsh criticism, 
but also saved thousands of jobs. We are proud of his achievements.

                          ____________________