Political Quotes

“recently the idea of privatizing the United States air traffic control system has been given a renewed life. Mr. Speaker, that would be a very bad idea. A competent and reliable air traffic control system is vital to the safety of our flying public, and public safety is a responsibility of the Government. Simply put, air traffic controllers perform an inherently governmental function for our Nation. Mr. Speaker, proponents of privatizing air traffic controllers like to cite three countries they consider to be successful examples of privatization: Australia, Great Britain, and Canada. Unless we consider a walkout, a pending bankruptcy and a pending labor strike to be examples of success, I would respectfully disagree. Let us face the fact that privatization of air traffic control does not work. On September 11 of last year, air traffic controllers proved their worth as inherently governmental employees. Our air traffic control system is the envy of the world. Let us keep it that way.”