On the recordOctober 4, 2011
I come before the House today, Mr. Speaker, to call for the immediate implementation of the pending aviation safety rule on preventing pilot fatigue. In February of 2009, Continental Connection Flight 3407 crashed in my community of western New York. The investigation of the crash brought to light serious deficiencies in Federal aviation safety standards, including our rules to prevent pilot fatigue. In response, Congress unanimously passed legislation to reform these rules. Yet despite broad congressional support, implementation of the pilot fatigue rule is more than 2 months overdue. Yesterday, 102 of my colleagues and I sent a letter to the administration urging the quick implementation of these reforms. Mr. Speaker, the old policies still in place do not adequately prevent fatigue or sufficiently protect the traveling public. We must implement the overdue pilot fatigue rule. While we delay, the traveling public continues to take to the skies bearing unnecessary risks. ____________________
