Date: 2011-07-20
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

I thank the gentleman. I submit that by simply having a codified policy that at the busiest and most critical airports we mandate there be personnel redundancy in control towers. we can make the aviation system much safer and much more secure. The American passenger has value. Those dear souls who lost their lives on 9/11 who were not exposed to this concept of terrorism had value. The American passenger is entitled to safety and security. Think about the people on planes flying across our country. They are our grandmothers. husbands. wives. babies. family members. businesspersons. associates. colleagues. Theyre American passengers and their lives have value. To ensure their safety and security. I believe we need more than what is presently moving in this bill that has not come to the floor. and I believe we should move on with the conferees to be appointed because. as I said. I sent my language to the initial negotiation. We need to move on so theres an opportunity for us to work this idea. But this is more than a study. We dont need another study. We have already seen the mishaps. On 9/11 we discovered the value and importance of these particular workers. and we now have discovered the problem. I ask my colleagues to raise the question and to question this rule and this bill. or this extension. because we are putting our American passengers in jeopardy. Mr. Speaker. as we consider yet another extension for FAA programs. I rise today to discuss a key issue that I urge the conferees on the FAA Reauthorization bill to consider. Prior to H.R. 658 being sent to the Senate. I offered an amendment to establish a mandate that at the top 20 U.S. airports. there shall be no fewer than three air traffic controllers on duty during periods of airfield operations. I firmly believe this provision will ensure that air traffic control towers at high volume airports in this country will be appropriately staffed at all times. This is a matter of national security. We have all heard the recent stories of air traffic controllers falling asleep. or being locked out of the control tower. or for whatever reason. not being able to be on the job. on duty at critical times. I submit that by simply having a codified policy that at the busiest and most critical airports we mandate there be personnel redundancy in control towers. we can make the aviation system much safer. The American Passenger has value. The American Passenger is entitled to Safety and Security. Think about the people on planes flying across our country. They are our grandmothers. husbands. wives and babies. They are American Passengers and their lives have value. To ensure their safety and security we must insist that Air Traffic Controllers are vigilant. To ensure their vigilance we must set reasonable minimum standards. After 911. we discovered the vital importance of protecting our domestic airspace. Air Traffic Controllers are part of the front line of defense to protect the ensure the safety of our air space. If they lose contact with a plane. they can alert authorities. If an Air Traffic Controller at a major domestic and international airport is asleep at the wheel who will make that call? It is unfair to put the lives of American passengers at high volume airports at ANY time in the hands of one individual. who may at some point be incapacitated. Even pilots have copilots. What if the Controller fell ill? What then? What would you tell those passengers on the plane? Hope for the best? We need to provide the support that Air Traffic Controllers need in addition to the responsibility. This language I support creates a mandate. that at all times there must be a minimum of three air traffic controllers in the tower during hours of airfield operation. I commend Secretary LaHood for ordering a second air traffic controller to be on duty overnight at National Airport. However. the Secretarys action simply evidences that there is no current mandate for multiple air traffic controllers. According to the National Air Traffic Controllers Association. most airports operate 24 hours a day with two controllers in the tower for the midnightto6 a.m. shift. The operative word is "most". we must act to create a uniform nationwide standard. verifiable and enforceable by the FAA. Again. safety and security are mutually needed to protect the public. This mandate of 2 air traffic controllers on duty at the top 20 airports is vital to Americas National Security. I urge the conferees to adopt this important provision.