Robin Carnahan: “Our Nation's airlines are clearly suffering as a result of last week's terrorist attacks, and I express my appreciation…”

“Our Nation's airlines are clearly suffering as a result of last week's terrorist attacks, and I express my appreciation to the distinguished majority leader for his efforts to craft a comprehensive package of financial assistance for the airlines. I am confident the leader's efforts will ensure that the attackers who took down our buildings will not succeed in taking down the airline industry, too. I look forward to supporting this measure. I also believe we must act to bolster the airline industry. We must demonstrate our commitment to supporting the men and women who represent the industry's heart and soul. The tens of thousands of workers who before September 11 were flying our planes, building our planes, keeping our airports open, and serving the flying public are now facing unemployment. They will need financial assistance to be sure they can continue to pay their mortgages. They may need retraining so they can find jobs in a new industry. And we ought to be sure they and their families are not put in the scary position of being without health care coverage. As we have done for the airlines, the Federal Government must take the lead in supporting these workers.”