AIR-21 signed into law, ending decade of struggle to 'unlock' the aviation trust fund

AIR-21 signed into law, ending decade of struggle to 'unlock' the aviation trust fund

President Clinton signs AIR-21 as (left to right) Transportation Secretary Rodney Slater, Sen. Ernest Hollings, FAA Administrator Jane Garvey, Rep. John Duncan (partially hidden), Rep. Bud Shuster, and Rep. James Oberstar look on. (Photo courtesy of the White House.)

President Clinton signed AIR-21 (the FAA reauthorization bill that "unlocks" the aviation trust fund) into law today. AOPA President Phil Boyer said, "We have finally put the 'trust' back in the trust fund. All of the taxes collected from aviation users can now be used for air traffic control modernization and airport improvements. We now have the resources to improve our aviation infrastructure to meet the demands of the new century.

"It has taken a decade of struggle to see this legislation come to pass. It was the vision of men like House Transportation Committee Chairman Bud Shuster and Ranking Minority Member James Oberstar who helped AIR-21 take shape. But more importantly, it was the overwhelming efforts of the over 355,000 AOPA members that responded to our call to action that made this important milestone a reality."

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April 5, 2000