[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 8]
[House]
[Page 10547]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEM PRIVATIZATION

  (Ms. BERKLEY asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Ms. BERKLEY. Mr. Speaker, a recent executive order paves the way for 
privatization of our air traffic control system. The order states that 
air traffic control is no longer an inherently governmental function. 
Air traffic controllers play a significant role in our national 
security. National security is inherently a government function.
  On September 11, our air traffic controllers safely grounded nearly 
4,500 aircraft in less than 2 hours, proving that the current system 
works and works well. Proponents of privatization cite the systems in 
Great Britain, Canada, and Australia as efficient and effective. 
However, the systems in Great Britain and Canada are facing financial 
crisis and the controllers in Australia report poor working conditions.
  Our system works. Our air traffic controllers have demonstrated it 
time and time again. We should not privatize our air traffic control 
system.

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