Jay Rockefeller: “as we conclude this debate on this reauthorization of the Federal Aviation Administration, I wish to thank my colleagues…”

“as we conclude this debate on this reauthorization of the Federal Aviation Administration, I wish to thank my colleagues for their hard work, and I wish to do so with some specificity. First, I thank Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison, the ranking member of the Commerce Committee. Senator Hutchison and I, in a sense, kind of grew up together on the Commerce Committee. We have worked together, in my judgment, entirely successfully on aviation issues. For much of the last decade, Senator Hutchison and I have served as either chair or ranking member of the Aviation Subcommittee. In 2009, I assumed the chairmanship of the Commerce Committee, and she assumed the ranking member position on the committee. But, more importantly, we have a long history of producing strong, bipartisan aviation legislation and working well, generally, starting with the landmark AIR 21 bill in 2000--which greatly increased funding for our aviation system--through the chaotic days after September 11, 9/11--which culminated in the Aviation and Transportation Security Act--to this important reauthorization we are considering today. I am profoundly proud of our work together over the years. I respect her professionally. I respect her personally. I think our work is a legacy we both can be very proud of. I know I am. She is an extraordinary Senator who is deeply committed to making sure the United States has the finest aviation system in the world.”