(REMARKS AS PREPARED)

Thank you for yielding, Mr. Chairman.

I’m glad the Committee is getting to work early on Airport and Airway Trust Fund financing.  We all can agree that funding improvements to the nation’s airports and air infrastructure is vitally important to creating and sustaining economic growth and promoting commerce.  This is an issue that can and should be addressed in a bipartisan manner.

In my own district, we are working hard to build a new terminal at MBS Airport in Freeland and upgrade the air traffic control facilities at Cherry Capital Airport in Traverse City.  Quite frankly, we need every dollar the FAA can spare. 

I suspect this is the case in most other communities throughout the country.  So, finding a long-term solution to Trust Fund financing is vitally important not only to sustaining ongoing projects, but also to building a solid base for future improvements. 

With that in mind, I thank the Members of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee for appearing before us today.  While there is wide agreement on the need to modernize our air traffic control systems, we may not all agree on the exact path to get us there.  I look forward to working with all stakeholders, especially the Members before us today, in finding ways to improve our nation’s air transportation system. 

I yield back the balance of my time. 

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

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