Political Quotes

“I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Petri and Mr. Costello do a great job in leading the Aviation Subcommittee. They have both had the opportunity to serve in leadership positions. As a former chair of that Aviation Subcommittee, I do thank them for their work day in and day out to make certain that the United States continues to have the safest skies and continues to fly the safest flights of anywhere in the world. Mr. Speaker, still, about two-thirds of all of the passenger flights in the world occur in the United States of America. Some 94 million commercial flights were handled last year by our air traffic controllers. Again, the safety record is just unprecedented. When you stop and think of all of the potential for human error, for something to go wrong, and of the record we have achieved, it is remarkable. I am sad that we don't have an FAA reauthorization bill here. I am pleased that my legislation, which I crafted back in 2003 or 2004 and which expired in 2007, I believe--some 3 years ago--may be on its 15th extension this week. I knew I wrote a good bill. I didn't know, though, it was that good to last this long, but I look forward to passing that legislation which is so important that it sets forth the policy, the projects, and the funding for keeping our aviation system safe and sound. This resolution does honor the men and women who serve as air traffic controllers.…”