Thomas E. Petri

I am convinced that doing so will present major concerns for aviation safety.

It goes without saying that the aviation industry is vital to our economy, contributing $1.2 trillion annually to the Nation's economy.

Before I wrap up, just one last point, and that is that I think one thing I've learned watching Jim Oberstar is the way he has expressed appreciation for and treated the people he works with on the staff of the committee and in the House…

I remain very disappointed that a few issues in the reauthorization package are holding up final agreement on a comprehensive FAA reauthorization bill. However, in order to ensure the safe operation of the national airspace system while…

I am disappointed, myself, that several issues unrelated to important safety and modernization provisions in the reauthorization package are holding up final agreement on this legislation.

I think the bill overall, I certainly would not dispute the estimate of the Department of Transportation or the FAA that increasing the funding available for construction of new airports and for operating the system and for putting in the…

Besides being costly to taxpayers, the FFEL program has also been plagued by abuse and scandal.

Recently, the Congressional Budget Office reported that this change would save $94 billion over ten years.

For over two decades, I have argued that our student loan system has unnecessarily lined the pockets of lenders and middlemen at the expense of students and taxpayers.

I fully support the President's proposal to end the Family Federal Education Loan (FFEL) Program and originate all new federal student loans through the Direct Loan Program.

The focus of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act and its 2001 reauthorization through the No Child Left Behind Act was on closing the achievement gap faced by disadvantaged students.

If we really want to stimulate the economy and get jobs out there, saying we have to do it real quick is not going to be as effective.

I just have to say, this is important, because, on the one hand, if you treat a direct loan as adding to the debt with no offset because it is a loan which will be repaid, the loan is an asset, there should be some offset, you can get a…

I would just observe that this is a work in progress. As my colleague knows, in the last Congress, the line was $256, now it is $283.9. So it is a work in progress. And it is a recommendation of the President's advisors, it is not directly…

I have met with the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Mario Diaz-Balart) and spoken with him several times on the issue of legislative language that would allow $100 million from the Florida Department of Transportation for the MIC to be used as…

I am not talking about the mechanics of running the numbers. I am talking about the mechanics of operating the political machinery in order to get something that, in fact, would be passed by the Senate and signed by the President.

I wish I was standing here on the floor today urging passage of a conference report meeting our Nation's transportation needs. Instead, I urge my colleagues to support a further 2-month extension of the existing program so that conferees…

I would just like to concur in the commendation that our chairman extended to the working staff on both sides of the aisle, and to say to my colleagues that this is a work in progress. This is an important milestone, but this is not the…

Today my colleague, the gentleman from California (Mr. George Miller), and I are introducing the Instructional Materials Accessibility Act, which makes sure that blind students will be able to enjoy an equal opportunity to a quality…

It is with immense pleasure and honor that I rise to express a few thoughts about my colleague and good friend, Bill Goodling. The Education and the Workforce Committee, formerly the Education and Labor Committee, was blessed the day Bill…

It's time to look at welfare and tax policy for low income families in a coherent fashion instead of the hit or miss piecemeal approach we have been employing.

I am proud to call attention to the many accomplishments of my friend, JoAnn Ward, and join the members of the Fond du Lac community in honoring her as she continues to pursue new horizons.

JoAnn's influence has extended beyond Fond du Lac to larger metropolitan areas and to national and international organizations.

JoAnn has either originated or taken a lead role in developing and enhancing scores of other Fond du Lac area special events and festivals.

It can be said with no exaggeration that her stamp has left a lasting imprint on the character of the community.