James Oberstar

Mr. OBERSTAR

Mr. OBERSTAR. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Sestak).

Mr. OBERSTAR. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself 2 minutes, and yield to the distinguished gentleman from California (Mr. Waxman).

Mr. OBERSTAR. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Chandler), speaking on behalf of the Committee of Science and Technology, and thank them for their contributions to the legislation. Their role is the research and development portion of FAA's operations, and they made a significant and very healthy beneficial contribution. The gentleman from Kentucky will speak on behalf of the Committee.

Mr. OBERSTAR. Mr. Chairman, may I inquire of the time remaining on both sides?

Mr. OBERSTAR. Mr. Chairman, I assure the gentleman from Michigan, the gentlewoman from Michigan, and the gentlewoman from Texas that these projects are of great importance. They are examples of the type of projects we envisioned when we crafted section 114. Dallas Love Field and Wayne County Airport Authority are well suited to participate in the pilot project, and I would urge FAA to give consideration to both applications.

Mr. OBERSTAR. I thank the gentleman for raising that issue. Lack of a runway safety area on an airport is a critical gap, a serious gap in the safety features of an airport, and I assure the gentleman we will invite the Santa Monica Airport Authority, with the gentleman's participation, and the Office of Airports of FAA to come in to have a discussion about the safety needs of this airport and funding them within the airport's master plan into the future.

Mr. OBERSTAR. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2\1/2\ minutes to the distinguished gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Lowey).

Mr. OBERSTAR. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the distinguished gentleman from Oregon (Mr. DeFazio), Chair of the Surface Transportation Subcommittee.

Mr. OBERSTAR. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the distinguished gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Lipinski).

Mr. OBERSTAR. Mr. Chairman, will the gentleman yield?

Mr. OBERSTAR. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman from New Jersey for raising the issue. Mr. Garrett's right on. Mr. Sestak from Pennsylvania, Mr. Hall from New York, Mr. Shays from Connecticut, obviously this is a bipartisan, nonpartisan issue. It's a widespread concern. You have my assurance that I will talk to the FAA, will talk to GAO, ask them to accelerate the work on their report, and GAO's findings need to be reviewed prior to the redesign of the airspace.

Mr. OBERSTAR. Mr. Chairman, at this time I yield 1 minute to the distinguished gentleman from California (Mr. Thompson).

Mr. OBERSTAR. Mr. Chairman, if the gentleman would yield, I thank the gentleman for his contribution. It has been a very substantial one.

Mr. OBERSTAR. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the distinguished gentleman from New York (Mr. Arcuri).

Mr. OBERSTAR. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself 15 seconds. I want to express appreciation to the gentleman for raising this issue and for his forbearance as we work through the legislative process. The GAO report is on the mark. The gentleman's concerns are right. We will work with him and with all of our colleagues who depend on National Airport to increase capacity at that airport.

Mr. OBERSTAR. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself the balance of my time. I thank the gentleman from Florida for yielding a few additional seconds to close. This has been, all through the hearing process, an open and inclusive process that we conducted in the best tradition of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. We appreciate the participation of the members on the Republican side. Mr. Mica has given a considerable amount of his time from all the other issues that we have to deal with in committee. The gentleman from Wisconsin has been a quick learner and a very astute participant in both the hearings and the markup process. And the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Costello) has really put his arms around the subject of aviation, mastered the issues, and brought forth an extraordinary piece of legislation that will serve aviation well and serve the Nation well out into the future. Yes, we have disagreement principally on two issues, and we have been open and candid about that right from the outset. We have worked cooperatively, bipartisanly to try to resolve the air traffic controller issue. Both parties seemed irreconcilable. We have created a process in this legislation by which the air traffic controller issue can be resolved with an arbitration process. And I think that's in the best interest of the Nation. As we go forward from here, I look forward to the amendments that will be forthcoming, and I think in a very constructive manner we can conclude the action on this bill today.

Mr. OBERSTAR. Mr. Chairman, I include in the Record exchanges of letters between the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and other relevant committees. House of Representatives, Committee on Science and Technology, Washington, DC, September 17, 2007. Hon. James L. Oberstar, Chairman, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Chairman Oberstar: I write to you regarding H.R. 2881, the ``FAA Reauthorization Act of 2007.'' This legislation authorizes the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) programs, including research and development programs. H.R. 2881 contains provisions that fall within the jurisdiction of the Committee on Science and Technology. I recognize and appreciate your desire to bring this legislation before the House in an expeditious manner and, accordingly, I will not seek a sequential referral of the bill. However, agreeing to waive consideration of this bill should not be construed as the Committee on Science and Technology waiving its jurisdiction over H.R. 2881. Further, I request your support for the appointment of Science and Technology Committee conferees during any House- Senate conference convened on this legislation on provisions of the bill that are within the Committee's jurisdiction. I look forward to working with you as we prepare to pass this important legislation. Sincerely, Bart Gordon, Chairman

Mr. OBERSTAR. Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.

Mr. OBERSTAR. Airline delays, as I said at the outset of general debate, have reached historic levels, 72 percent of flights arriving on time so far this year. Long term, we need continued modernization of the aircraft traffic control system. That is not to say that this is a system that has been frozen in time and nothing has been done. The FAA has, over the past 20-plus years, 25 years, installed over 80,000 pieces of technology to upgrade, modernize, expand, and increase capacity in the air traffic control system. They installed a voice switching and control system over one weekend, with a million lines of computer code, installing this entirely new communication system over one weekend without a second of delay in the air traffic control operations. That's like changing a tire on a car moving at 60 miles an hour. They did it. They installed the automatic replacement system for the en route centers, and did that after 5 years of development of this greatly enhanced new technology, increasing to 1,300,000 lines of computer code. And the installment is now working well. The Standard Terminal Automation Replacement System, the STARS, that, too, took years to develop; 1,300,000 lines of computer code also installed and operating effectively. But those were platforms on which we build the air traffic control technology of the future. And in this legislation, we provide for the funding of the air traffic control technology of the future. Mr. Chairman, I yield now to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Costello).

Mr. OBERSTAR. We'll call it the Oberstar-Costello manager's amendment, which will serve to reduce delays, increase passenger rights, enhance small community air service, and improve oversight of safety maintenance of aircraft. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. OBERSTAR. Mr. Chairman, I ask unanimous consent to amend the manager's amendment with an amendment which is at the desk.

Mr. OBERSTAR. If the gentleman would yield on his reservation.

Mr. OBERSTAR. It is to add JFK Airport to the language pending in the manager's amendment.

Mr. OBERSTAR. Yes.

Mr. OBERSTAR

Mr. OBERSTAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 3246, a bill to provide a comprehensive regional approach to economic and infrastructure development in the most severely economically distressed regions in the Nation. H.R. 3246, the Regional Economic and Infrastructure Development Act of 2007, reauthorizes two existing commissions, the Delta Regional Commission and the Northern Great Plains Regional Commission, and establishes three new regional economic development commissions: the Southeast Crescent Regional Commission, the Southwest Border Regional Commission, and the Northern Border Regional Commission. These Commissions will address problems of systemic poverty and underdevelopment in their respective regions. This legislation authorizes all of these regional commissions under a common framework of administration and management, modeled after the procedures for the highly successful Appalachian Regional Commission. By providing a uniform set of procedures, this bill provides a consistent method for distributing economic development funds and ensures a comprehensive regional approach to economic and infrastructure development in the most severely distressed regions in the country. H.R. 3246 authorizes $250 million per year for fiscal years 2008 through 2012 for each commission to provide vital assistance for the development of our Nation's most chronically poor and distressed regions. Each of the three new commissions authorized by this bill serves a unique need. The Southwest border region includes all counties within 150 miles of the United States-Mexico border. This region contains 11 counties in New Mexico, 65 counties in Texas, 10 counties in Arizona, and 7 counties in California for a combined population of approximately 29 million people. According to research compiled by the Interagency Task Force on the Economic Development of the Southwest Border, 20 percent of the residents in this region of the Nation live below the poverty level, and unemployment rates often reach as high as five times the national unemployment rate. A lack of adequate access to capital has created economic disparities and made it difficult for businesses to start up in the region. The northern border region stretches from Maine to New York. While the region enjoys abundant natural resources and is rich in potential, it lags behind much of the Nation in economic growth, and its people have not shared equitably in the Nation's prosperity. The region's historic reliance on a few basic industries and agriculture has failed to provide a diverse enough economic base for vigorous, self-sustaining growth. In the countries in this region, 12.5 percent of the population lives in poverty, median household income is more than $6,500 below the national average, and unemployment through layoffs in traditional manufacturing industries is persistent. The population grew only 0.6 percent between 1990 and 2000, during which time the U.S. population rose by 13.2 percent, indicating significant out-imigration and loss of young people. The southeastern region of the United States includes the coastal and central portions of Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, and Florida. Approximately 40 percent of the counties in this region have had 20 percent or more of their citizens living in poverty, on average, during the last 30 years. The area has also faced record unemployment. Additionally, this region has experienced natural disasters at a rate of two to three times greater than any other region of the U.S. The southeastern region is one of the last areas of the country without a Federal authority dedicated to ending poverty and strengthening communities. The Southeast Crescent Authority (SECA) authorizes a local-State-Federal partnership to lift citizens in this geographic area out of poverty and create jobs by targeting the communities with the greatest need. This bill has broad bipartisan support, and the committee has held a series of hearings regarding the need for these economic development commissions. The model for economic development through partnerships between the Federal Government and State and local governments has worked extremely well in the case of the Appalachian Regional Commission, and I am certain it will continue to serve to enhance the lives and livelihoods of citizens in other regions. I submit an exchange of letters regarding jurisdiction, and I support HR. 3246 and urge its passage. House of Representatives, Committee on Agriculture, Washington, DC, September 17, 2007. Hon. James L. Oberstar, Chairman, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Washington, DC. Dear Chairman Oberstar: I am writing to confirm our mutual understanding regarding consideration of H.R. 3246, the ``Regional Infrastructure Development Act of 2007,'' which was referred to the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and reported to the House on September 7. Specifically, I appreciate your acknowledgement of the Committee on Agriculture's jurisdictional interest in provisions contained in the bill that affect rural development programs. As you know, clause 1(a) of Rule X gives the Committee on Agriculture jurisdiction over bills that affect rural development programs. Given the importance of moving this bill forward promptly, I would be glad to waive any consideration of this measure as to allow its timely consideration by the entire House of Representatives. However, I do so with the understanding that this procedural route will not be construed to prejudice the Agriculture Committee's jurisdictional interests and prerogatives on this bill, or any other similar legislation, and will not be considered as precedent for consideration of matters of jurisdictional interest to the Agriculture Committee in the future. Furthermore, in the event a conference with the Senate is requested in this matter, I would ask you to support the Committee on Agriculture's request to be represented. Thank you very much for your courtesy in this matter and I look forward to your continued cooperation between our Committees as we deal with these matters in the future. Sincerely, Collin C. Peterson Chairman.