    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: WILLIAM J. CLINTON (2000, Book I)]
    [April 5, 2000]
    [Page 637]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on Signing the Wendell H. Ford Aviation Investment and Reform
    Act for the 21st Century
    April 5, 2000

        Today I am pleased to sign into law H.R. 1000, the ``Wendell H. Ford
    Aviation Investment and Reform Act for the 21st Century.'' This
    legislation contains important measures to improve aviation safety,
    increase airline competition, protect air travelers with disabilities,
    and boost assistance for the families of victims of aviation disasters.
    The bill also takes an additional step toward our long-term objectives
    for modernizing and reforming the FAA's provision of critical air
    traffic control services.
        I call on Congress to join me in moving forward to further system-
    wide reform of air traffic control. While this legislation seeks to
    provide substantial funding guarantees for airport construction and
    other capital investment, I remain concerned about the possible effect
    of the bill's procedural requirements on future appropriations for air
    traffic control and other crucial safety functions funded by the FAA's
    Operations account. My administration will work with the Congress to
    achieve more balanced funding of aviation programs in fiscal year 2001.

     Note:  H.R. 1000, approved April 5, was assigned Public Law No. 106-
    181.