[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 112 (Thursday, July 23, 2009)]
[House]
[Pages H8685-H8686]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              PROMOTE AVIATION THROUGH RESPONSIBLE POLICY

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Kansas (Mr. Moran) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. MORAN of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, good evening.
  Since the Wright brothers left the ground for the first time at Kitty 
Hawk, aviation has fascinated our collective imagination, contributed 
to unprecedented interaction among people, and grown to become one of 
the most important industries in our Nation.
  Whether it was aviators of the past, like Charles Lindbergh, Amelia 
Earhart, or those more recently, like Steve Fossett, who flew a solo, 
nonstop trip around the world that began and ended in Salina, Kansas, 
aviation has had a unique ability to capture our attention and to 
inspire us to achieve things which we once thought were impossible.
  Advances in aviation technology and engineering have led to the 
development of larger, faster, more fuel-efficient planes that carry 
passengers and goods around the world. The ease of travel and shipment 
modern aviation allows has contributed to a worldwide economic growth 
and to new opportunities for leisure travel for far more people than 
ever before. In America, the aviation industry accounts for more than 
$1 trillion in economic activity each year. Millions of Americans are 
employed by this critical industry that facilitates so many other 
economic transactions.
  As a Kansan, I take special pride in the aviation industry, which has 
deep roots in our State. Pioneers in the industry, such as Glenn 
Stearman, Walter Beech, Clyde Cessna, Bill Lear, and Amelia Earhart, 
all have important connections to the Sunflower State. Many of these 
innovators helped establish Wichita as the ``Air Capital of the 
World.'' Today, a who's who of aviation companies operates in the city 
of Wichita, including Boeing, Airbus, Bombardier, Cessna, Hawker 
Beechcraft, Spirit Aerosystems, and Raytheon.
  In Kansas, the aviation industry accounts for 20 percent of the 
State's manufacturing employment, and it employs tens of thousands of 
Kansans. Engineers, machinists, mechanics, inspectors, scientists, and 
technicians are dedicated to producing the best aircraft in the world. 
These employees take great pride in what they do, and they deserve our 
support.
  Yet the industry faces significant challenges. The recession has hit 
aviation hard, and many workers have lost their jobs. During the 
difficult times that we're in, Congress especially needs to be 
supportive of this critical component of America's manufacturing base. 
Efforts to demagogue about the use of private planes and business 
aviation by private corporations harm this industry. I was troubled in 
January, during the consideration of the TARP Reform and Accountability 
Act, that provisions to limit businesses from leasing or from using 
general aircraft for business purposes were almost included in the 
final legislation. Doing so would have lowered the national aviation 
production, and it would have hurt workers everywhere, especially in 
Kansas, where more than 54 percent of our country's aviation products 
are manufactured.
  Congress must remember the importance of this industry, not only to 
our national economy but to so many local and regional economies within 
the country. It is in our collective interest to protect and to 
encourage growth in the general aviation community.
  As a member of the Congressional Aviation Caucus, I work to inform 
and to educate Members of Congress about the importance of this 
industry to our Nation. Congress was right to, once again, reject the 
``user-fee'' proposal that would have further harmed general aviation. 
User fees would have unfairly burdened the general aviation industry. 
Congress must continue to oppose unnecessary taxes or fees on general 
aviation. Those in Congress must also question and fight the 
impractical regulations, such as the Transportation Security 
Administration's large aircraft security proposal, which would apply to 
many of the planes owned by individuals and small companies.
  When it comes to key American industries, aviation is at the top of 
the list. I encourage my colleagues to join me in pledging to do all we 
can to promote aviation through responsible policy.

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