Todd Tiahrt: “I just want to speak in support of this, Mr. Chairman, because of the impact that has happened in my district, because…”

“I just want to speak in support of this, Mr. Chairman, because of the impact that has happened in my district, because of the statute of repose or the produce liability for airplanes. In Independence, KS, in April, we are going to break ground for a new plant. Cessna Aircraft is going to build a plant and bring 1,000 jobs into Independence, KS, the Montgomery County area. There will be another 1,000 jobs that are going to be started in Wichita. The spin-off is going to create 7,000 jobs because of product liability for aircraft. I heard earlier that we were concerned because there was no measurable impact from product liability, that there were no benefits that could be created from such limitations, that it was only going to hamper individuals, but I am here to tell you tonight that in my district of south central Kansas, we are going to see 7,000 jobs over the next 5 years. And we are excited about that. The industry tells us that there may be a possibility of 25,000 jobs nationwide from product liability on aircraft. Now, if we expand that beyond aircraft, if we go into other products, we are going to see that there will be jobs created. But there will be people working, and it is not the rich people or the corporations that are going to benefit. It is the guy that carries a lunch bucket to work. It is the guy that tries to create a safe environment for his kids, he tries to clothe them and to feed them.”