Congressional Candidate Hartzok on Shusters Response after Failing to Act on Airline Safety Last week I toured the Congressional District with the widows of two pilots who died during the attacks on our country on 9/11. They spoke of the need to pass a legislative bill to ensure airline safety that is before the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure which Congressman Shuster chairs. He has sat on this bill for a year and a half, refusing to talk to supporters and the Bills sponsor about it. We called on him to bring the Bill up for a vote now. He responded during a talk at a Chambersburg (Franklin County) Lion’s Club lunch meeting where he stated his reasons for inaction on the Saracini Aviation Safety Act - which would provide an urgently needed “secondary barrier” to secure airplane cockpits as an important safety measure to prevent hijackings. The growing national movement for passage of the Act will not stop until this legislation is passed. Despite Shuster’s statement to the contrary, bringing this legislation to a vote in the House IS his full responsibility as Chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee under which is the Aviation SubCommittee. His only suggestions thus far have been further investigation - a “death by study” delay tactic or to let another committee handle it. Shuster’s statement that Ellen Saracini, the widow of Captain Victor J. Saracini - the pilot of the plane that crashed into the South Tower on 9/11, had shown up on his “doorstep” a number of times was highly disrespectful of her. He very quickly mentioned that he had “met with her” but the truth is that the first and only time he met with her was in August of 2013 when he said he would “get back” to her. She is still waiting. Ellen has kept a careful record of the 14 times she contacted his office for an appointment only to be told that he was unavailable for some reason or another. Nor has Shuster responded to requests for meetings made by Melodie Homer, widow of LeRoy Homer, the First Officer on Flight 93 that crashed into the field in Shanksville, PA. Melodie, at her own expense, came here from North Carolina representing not just herself but all of the Flight 93 families who lost loved ones on 9/11. Shuster has refused her requests for meetings with him, as well as those of Wayne Helsel, a pilot residing in Franklin County who collected many signatures from District 9 constituents urging action on the Saracini Aviation Safety Act. Shuster has also closed his door to these organizations who are also urging passage of the Act: Families of 9/11 and the 55,000 members of the Airline Pilots Association, Allied Pilots Association, The Coalition of Airlines Pilots Association, US Airline Pilots Association, Association of Flight Attendants, Federal Flight Deck Officers Association, the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. For a visual example of how Shuster refuses to meet with those expressing concern for aviation safety that could prevent another 9/11 type of attack, readers are urged to watch this clip produced by CBS3 investigative reporter Charlotte Huffman that aired recently in the Philadelphia area: philadelphia.cbslocal/2014/09/23/i-team-investigation-cockpit-danger/ The most probable reason for Shuster’s blockage of the Saracini Aviation Safety Act would seem to be that he is the top recipient of campaign contributions from several airlines that oppose passage of the Act, even though installation of the secondary barriers would cost them a minuscule amount of money compared to what they spend on airline passenger entertainment systems. Up until Tuesday my Congressional campaign has been positive and proactive. I talk about how we can strengthen our local economies and enable good jobs for all. The only criticism I have made of Bill Shuster was based on information from The National Committee to Protect Social Security and Medicare that he had voted for bills that cut the social insurance safety net while giving massive tax cuts to the very wealthy. But then Ellen Saracini contacted me recently and asked for my help to alert the citizens of District 9 about Shuster’s blockage of the Aviation Safety Act. I knew I had to respond, to show leadership, to do my part to inform the people of District 9 about this urgent matter. This is why I worked with my campaign team to organize four press conferences on Tuesday - a “Paul Revere” ride through our congressional district to alert the citizens to Shuster’s blockage of the Saracini Aviation Safety Act. This is my promise to the voters and all citizens of District 9. If you elect me to serve you in Congress I will hold public forums and town hall meetings in several locations throughout our large district at least three times a year. I will listen to YOU, I will work for YOU, and I will work WITH YOU to build an economy that works for everyone. People of integrity DO keep their promises even though those receiving a lot of money from corporate interests sometimes do not. Please have in mind my promise to you when you vote on November 4th. - Alanna Hartzok, Democratic Party Candidate for Congress, PA District 9
Posted on: Thu, 23 Oct 2014 20:54:06 +0000
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