Political Quotes

“this Chamber has been treading a difficult path in the last year. We want a balanced budget in the year 2002. We want a balanced budget for the next generation. I believe that as we set the budget for the coming years, we can find plenty of room for responsible cuts. This is also the chance to prioritize programs to get the best money can buy. One important priority is accessible air service to all communities, rural and urban, across the country. The benefits of airline deregulation did not apply evenly to every community. In other words, fears that unconditional deregulation would compromise the quantity, affordability, and quality of air service to small, rural communities have come true. That's the very reason that Essential Air Service was created. It was developed in response to fears that deregulation would leave holes in service throughout the country. And although EAS does not fill the holes completely, it does help connect many of our small towns. Air service is too important to our communities and their future to ignore. In a time when communication is instant through computers, faxes, and cellular telephones, people need to move around quickly and efficiently. Community growth through economic promotion and employment opportunities is hinged on adequate and accessible air service. Air service is vital not only as a dependable mode of transportation, but as a way to pull communities together and promote economic development.”