[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 82 (Wednesday, June 3, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1290-E1291]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    FAA REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2009

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                               speech of

                           HON. JIM MATHESON

                                of utah

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 21, 2009

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 915) to 
     amend title 49, United States Code, to authorize 
     appropriations for the Federal Aviation Administration for 
     fiscal years 2009 through 2012, to improve aviation safety 
     and capacity, to provide stable funding for the national 
     aviation system, and for other purposes:
  Mr. MATHESON. Mr. Chairman, I rise today to speak in support of 
Navigational Aids funding for the new St. George airport in Utah.
  I would like to thank Chairman Oberstar and the T&I committee staff 
for working on this important piece of legislation.
  Last October, the City of St. George broke ground on the construction 
of a new replacement airport--this is the only airport in the country 
currently being built. While the FAA has committed to funding a large 
portion of the project, they did not provide enough funding for 
critical navigational equipment.
  Given the difficult mountainous terrain and the need to avoid flying 
over two National Parks--Zion and the Grand Canyon--navigational 
equipment for the new airport is essential for public safety.
  In April, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood committed to the City 
that FAA would fully fund the navigational aids component of the 
airport.
  I would like to thank the Secretary for undertaking this commitment. 
I stand ready to work with the FAA, DOT, and the T&I committee to make 
sure funding is provided in order to open the new airport on time.

[[Page E1291]]



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