Jim Clyburn: “I regret the crash of ValuJet flight 592 was the catalyst for renewed attention on airline safety. However, I hope that…”

“I regret the crash of ValuJet flight 592 was the catalyst for renewed attention on airline safety. However, I hope that a productive dialog on the future safety of the aviation industry will result from this tragedy. For me, a similar tragedy brought home the need for greater air safety measures. July 4th weekend, 1994, a USAir flight that originated in my hometown, of Columbia, SC, crashed just outside of Charlotte, NC. Several of my constituents were among the victims. That single event heightened my awareness of aviation safety concerns and prompted me to begin a search for solutions. That search led me to the first step of what I believe is the long journey to restoring public confidence in air travel--the enactment of the Aviation Safety Protection Act of 1996 (H.R. 3187). I introduced this legislation on March 28 to provide whistle-blower protection for airline employees who supply information to the Federal Government relating to air safety.”