Nick Rahall: “I join in commending the distinguished chairman of the full committee, the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Shuster)…”

“I join in commending the distinguished chairman of the full committee, the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Shuster); the ranking member, the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Oberstar); subcommittee chairman, the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Duncan); and the ranking subcommittee member, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Lipinski) for their tremendous efforts in bringing forward to the House today this Aviation Investment and Reform Act for the 21st Century, AIR 21. This measure does indeed make an investment in America, a badly needed investment, and one that will not just benefit airport facilities located in major cities but rural parts of this Nation as well. Rural parts of this Nation often neglected under this bill will have the ability to make greater contributions to local economic development activities, and the pending measure will help them achieve their true potential through Federal policy changes. In this regard, I would like to highlight two provisions that I had a part in fashioning.”