John Kerry: “This bill to reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration is good legislation. I would like to commend the diligent…”

“This bill to reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration is good legislation. I would like to commend the diligent efforts of several Senators in drafting this legislation and in shepherding it through the committee process--including Senators Ford, McCain, Hollings, and Pressler, and also the work of their capable and helpful staffs. Mr. President, this is a very important bill to our Nation because the FAA plays such a critical role in our nation's transportation infrastructure. We ask the FAA each year to ensure the safety of all civil aviation and to oversee the continued development of our national system of airports. Significantly, through a comprehensive program that includes a vast air traffic control network, and thousands of maintenance inspections of our nation's civilian airlines, the FAA carries out the important task of ensuring the safety of the millions of Americans that utilize air travel each year. This bill is also important to Massachusetts which relies very heavily on air transport for both people and cargo. From Logan Airport in Boston to the smaller airports located throughout Massachusetts, airports and air transport are critical to the economic and social travel needs of the people of Massachusetts. Foremost, I support this bill because it provides the FAA with the necessary tools to carry out these important tasks.”