[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 18]
[House]
[Page 24303]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     MANDATED TRAINING FOR AIRCREWS

  (Mr. MICHAUD asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. MICHAUD. Mr. Speaker, 10 days after terrorist attacks on 
September 11, the President told this body, ``We will come together to 
improve air safety and take new measures to prevent hijacking.''
  Yet, 2 years later, our first line of defense in the air has been not 
yet upgraded. The flight attendants who were the first victims of the 
tragic accidents on that day and who are still called upon to defend 
passengers lives have not been given the new defensive training that 
they need.
  Working together in committee, Members of both parties drafted 
legislation to address this shortfall and mandate proper defense 
training for aircrews. Four hundred eighteen Members of the House 
agreed.
  Unfortunately, through the FAA reauthorization bill, House leadership 
has now removed the strong mandate and replaced it with a statement 
that TSA ``may'' provide training. This undermines our bipartisan work, 
it undermines the expectation clearly stated by the President, and it 
undermines the Nation's safety.
  I urge my colleagues to work with me to change the language back. 
There should be no uncertainty, no delay. Mandated training for 
aircrews is the will of this Congress and the will of our constituents.

                          ____________________