Norman D. Dicks: “this legislation tonight certainly is not perfect, but we have a very dire situation that faces the airlines. I happen…”

“this legislation tonight certainly is not perfect, but we have a very dire situation that faces the airlines. I happen to come from the State of Washington, which is a State that has already been affected with the Boeing Company announcing a layoff of 30,000 workers in our State. I believe this legislation will help stem that terrible loss and will keep people at work, both in the airlines and at Boeing. I am deeply disappointed, however, that the leadership chose not to put in place the unemployment compensation benefits that would help the unemployed workers at Boeing and help the unemployed workers at the airlines. My support for this legislation is contingent upon that happening. Mr. Speaker, I rise tonight to offer my support for this legislation because I believe it is necessary for the survival of the airline industry in our country at this time. Without the infusion of cash and loan guarantees that is contained in this bill, I believe we would run the real risk that this vital component of our transportation system-- so critical to our economy and our way of life--will cease to operate.”