Max Cleland: “I rise today to direct my colleagues' attention to the needs the workers who play a vital role in our nation's aviation…”

“I rise today to direct my colleagues' attention to the needs the workers who play a vital role in our nation's aviation system--tens of thousands of men and women who are often overlooked by those who travel by air. From the ticket agents to the sky caps to the mechanics, these workers support the American airline industry and promote its viability. These same workers were uniquely impacted by the terrorist attack on September 11, 2001. Their place of work--a place that should be safe-- was violated when terrorists turned the four commercial planes into missiles. On that fateful day, the air travel system in this country ground to a halt. The order to ground our aircraft was an unprecedented and correct action by the Department of Transportation. For the next four days there was virtually no air travel in this country, and the airlines suffered huge financial losses. In the wake of this tragedy and as the airline industry is returning to the skies, the Administration and Congress are working to stabilize this industry. Unfortunately, the aid Congress is providing will not be enough to retain the entire current workforce of the major airlines. I have heard that lay-offs in the airline industry could top 100,000 by next week! That is one hundred thousand people who will be faced with losing their health insurance and their source of income. One hundred thousand people who will be faced with reviewing their retirement plans.”