[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 17989]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



        AIR TRANSPORTATION SAFETY AND SYSTEM STABILIZATION BILL

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. ROSA L. DeLAURO

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 21, 2001

  Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, today I rise with troubled conscience, to 
vote for the Air Transportation Safety and System Stabilization Bill. 
The events of September 11, 2001 marked one of the darkest moments in 
our country's history. On that day, terrorists struck at the heart of 
our social and economic fabric and the ripple effects of this tragedy 
are still being felt. In particular, the airline industry was severely 
impacted, resulting in tremendous economic hardship for the carriers, 
the people who work for them and the travel industry as a whole. This 
bill will allow the airlines to continue flying; provide for the 
security of our airports and airways; and grant critical compensation 
to the families of victims of last week's heinous and barbaric attack. 
For these reasons, I hesitate to vote no.
  Nonetheless, the bill does little for more than a hundred-thousand 
workers laid off as a result of this tragedy, nor does it help the 
employees in associated industries, such as engine and parts 
manufacturers, hotels, restaurants, travel agencies, limousines and 
rental car services, and all the others now facing lay-offs. I have 
serious reservations that if these concerns are not addressed in 
concert with this legislation, millions of laid-off workers and their 
families will be left behind with no guarantee that they will retain 
their unemployment benefits, health care benefits or receive any re-
training opportunities.
  The security provisions in this bill do not go far enough. The 
airline industry has repeatedly fought the government tooth and nail 
over increased airline and airport security measures and efforts to 
improve customer service. We cannot afford for them to fail, but they 
deserve a stern warning, not just a check.
  I had sincerely hoped that last week's tragic events would have 
brought this Congress together in a bipartisan fashion to help everyone 
facing economic hardship. I look forward to legislation next week that 
brings relief and protection to those already unemployed and to the 
thousands of additional workers whose jobs are in jeopardy.

                          ____________________