[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 20 (Tuesday, February 24, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E214-E215]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING DAVID E. SCHAFFER

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. DON YOUNG

                               of alaska

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 24, 2004

  Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a most 
distinguished public servant, Mr. David E. Schaffer, Senior Counsel on 
the Transportation Committee's Aviation Subcommittee. Mr. Schaffer is 
retiring after twenty-six years of Federal service, including the past 
20 years with the Committee. His unmatched knowledge in the field of 
aviation, as well as his engaging personality, will be sorely missed in 
the halls of Congress. David's work stands as a prime example of the 
good that can be accomplished through public service. The American 
people have been quite fortunate to have Mr. Schaffer's expertise and 
guidance throughout his career. Every single aviation law passed in the 
last two decades is marked with David's creative ideas and approaches. 
As an attachment to my remarks, a list of all aviation laws passed 
during David's tenure is included.
  David's ability to work with people on both sides of the aisle serves 
as a major reason for the overwhelming bipartisan support aviation 
legislation has gathered over the last twenty years. His evenhanded and 
steady demeanor, as well as his thoughtful approach to a matter ensures 
that all ideas are heard, and that every opinion is considered. The 
relationships that David has cultivated among both government and 
industry officials has allowed for a free exchange of ideas on a wide 
variety of issues. Such exchanges have helped foster the growth of our 
nation's aviation industry. He has earned an immeasurable amount of 
respect from everyone with whom he has worked, including Members of 
Congress, staff, and those in the transportation community.
  David began his career in public service in 1978, when he joined the 
Office of General Counsel of the Civil Aeronautics Board as an 
attorney, specializing in rules, legislation, and litigation involving 
small community air service, international air service, consumer 
protection, and charters. In 1984, he began work with the Aviation 
Subcommittee as an Assistant Minority Counsel, becoming the Chief 
Minority Counsel in 1992, and Majority Counsel in 1995. Throughout his 
tenure with the Aviation Subcommittee, he has been involved in all 
aspects of aviation legislation, including safety, security, airline 
competition, international air service, the Airport Improvement 
Program, air traffic control modernization, Federal Aviation 
Administration reform, and oversight of the Federal Aviation 
Administration, Transportation Security Administration, and the 
National Transportation Safety Board.
  David's leadership proved critical in the weeks following the events 
of September 11, 2001. His experience played an essential role in 
creating the Aviation and Transportation Security Act, which helped 
restore confidence to the flying public. In a most precarious time for 
our nation, we were extremely fortunate to have someone like David 
Schaffer assisting us. Most recently, his assistance led to the 
successful passage of Vision 100, the FAA Reauthorization Act, which 
will have a lasting effect on the aviation industry for years to come.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask all of my colleagues to join me in celebrating the 
retirement of David Schaffer, and wish him well in whatever venture he 
seeks next. I would also like to offer an extended note of gratitude on 
behalf of the previous Chairmen of the Transportation Committee and 
Aviation Subcommittee whom David has served with great distinction. We 
wish you good luck and again say thank you for all you have done for 
both the Congress as well as the American people.


          Aviation Laws Passed During David Schaffer's Tenure

     108th Congress
       H.R. 2115, Vision 100--Century of Aviation Reauthorization 
     Act
       S. 579, National Transportation Safety Board 
     Reauthorization Act of 2003
     107th Congress
       H.R. 2926, Air Transportation Safety and System 
     Stabilization Act
       S. 1447, Aviation and Transportation Security Act
     106th Congress
       H.R. 1000, Wendell H. Ford Aviation Investment and Reform 
     Act for the 21st Century
       S. 2440, Airport Security Improvement Act of 2000
     105th Congress
       H.R. 2476, To amend title 49, United States Code, to 
     require the National Transportation Safety Board and 
     individual foreign air carriers to address the needs of 
     families of passengers involved in aircraft accidents 
     involving foreign air carriers.
       H.R. 2626, To make clarifications to the Pilot Records 
     Improvement Act of 1996, and for other purposes.
       H.R. 2843, Aviation Medical Assistance Act of 1998
     104th Congress
       H.R. 3159, National Transportation Safety Board Amendments 
     of 1996
       H.R. 3539, Federal Aviation Authorization Act of 1996
     103rd Congress
       H.R. 904, To amend the Airport and Airway Safety, Capacity, 
     Noise Improvement, and Inter-nodal Transportation Act of 1992 
     with respect to the establishment of the National Commission 
     to Ensure a Strong Competitive Airline Industry.
       H.R. 2440, Independent Safety Board Act Amendments of 1994
       H.R. 2739, Federal Aviation Administration Authorization 
     Act of 1994
       S. 1458, General Aviation Revitalization Authorization Act 
     of 1994
     102nd Congress
       H.R. 5481, FAA Civil Penalty Administrative Assessment Act 
     of 1992
       H.R. 6168, Airport and Airway Safety, Capacity, Noise 
     Improvement, and Intermodal Transportation Act of 1992
     101st Congress
       H.R. 968, Noise Reduction Reimbursement Act of 1989
       H.R. 5732, Aviation Security Improvement Act of 1990
       H.R. 3671, To amend the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 to 
     extend the civil penalty assessment demonstration program.
       H.R. 5131, To amend the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 to 
     extend the civil penalty assessment demonstration program, 
     and for other purposes.
     100th Congress
       H.R. 2310, Airport and Airway Improvement Amendments of 
     1987
       S. 623, Independent Safety Board Act Amendments of 1987
       S. 1628, An original bill to extend the Aviation Insurance 
     Program for 5 years
     99th Congress
       S. 2703, Air Carrier Access Act of 1986
     98th Congress
       H.R. 5297, Civil Aeronautics Board Sunset Act of 1984
       S. 197, A bill to direct the Secretary of the Department of 
     Transportation to conduct an independent study to determine 
     the adequacy of certain industry practices and Federal 
     Aviation Administration rules and regulations, and for other 
     purposes.

[[Page E215]]

       S. 1146, Aviation Drug-Trafficking Control Act

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