[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 48 (Tuesday, April 5, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E640-E641]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               FAA REAUTHORIZATION AND REFORM ACT OF 2011

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                               speech of

                             HON. RICK BERG

                            of north dakota

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, April 1, 2011

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 658) to 
     amend title 49, United States Code, to authorize 
     appropriations for the Federal Aviation Administration for 
     fiscal years 2011 through 2014, to streamline programs, 
     create efficiencies, reduce waste, and improve aviation 
     safety and capacity, to provide stable funding for the 
     national aviation system, and for other purposes:

  Mr. BERG. Mr. Chair, for eight years, Washington has failed to 
provide our nation with a long term and stable plan for our aviation 
infrastructure.
  This bill will ensure the much-needed long-term stability and 
development of our nation's aviation infrastructure.
  However, I'm incredibly concerned about the provision in this bill 
that would phase out Essential Air Service support.
  EAS is critical in large states like my own. Rural regions rely on 
EAS support for vital air transportation. In North Dakota, airports 
like those in Jamestown and Devils Lake would not be able to provide 
critical air service without EAS support.
  I've talked with North Dakotans, and I know how much they rely on 
access to air service. Numerous North Dakotans depend on air travel as 
an essential part of their jobs, and for many rural residents, driving 
in bad North Dakota weather to get to a larger airport simply isn't 
viable.
  Eliminating EAS would have a significant, detrimental effect on my 
state and on North Dakotans' access to air service.
  As we prioritize spending, we also must promote economic development 
and job creation. In areas like North Dakota, maintaining essential air 
service is critical for commerce--we want businesses to invest in our 
cities.
  A Goodrich plant in Jamestown employs nearly 500 North Dakotans. They 
rely on local air service to do business--air service that would not be 
possible if essential air service support was phased out.

[[Page E641]]

  We can't ask companies to invest in our state if we are unable to 
provide the basic infrastructure necessary for them to be competitive 
and do business.
  I've spoken with Congressman Mica and with the Transportation 
committee and I understand the need for this process to keep moving 
forward.
  This bill contains many good provisions that I support. It will 
expand research and development for remotely piloted aircraft, a 
growing field that holds enormous potential not only for our nation's 
military, but also our academic institutions and farmers and border 
security.
  North Dakota has established itself as a leader in the development 
and research of remotely piloted aircraft technology, and I'm confident 
that the creation of new test sites will benefit this technology's 
continued success in our state.
  But while I support these things, I also know how vital rural access 
to essential aviation is. That's why, before it is sent to the 
President, it is critical that the final version of this bill maintains 
EAS support.
  So I ask the gentleman from Florida if he will commit to working with 
me and other concerned members to support the EAS program and maintain 
critical rural air service.

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