For Release: Tuesday, October 22, 2007
Contact: David Gillies: 202-225-5661

COSTELLO STATEMENT ON NASA REFUSING TO RELEASE SAFETY SURVEY DATA

Washington - U.S. Congressman Jerry Costello (D-IL), Chairman of the House Aviation Subcommittee and a senior member of the House Science and Technology and the Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight, today issued the following statement in response to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA’s) refusal to release the data from a cancelled study of aviation safety:

“NASA’s stated reason for not releasing this survey – that it is protecting the financial interests of the commercial aviation industry – is outrageous and demands further explanation and an immediate release of the data. The study and NASA are funded by the American people, and I have often said that the safety of the traveling public must be our number one priority. I will be working closely with Chairmen Oberstar (D-MN), Gordon (D-TN) and Miller (D-NC) to get answers to the many questions raised by how NASA has handled this matter.”

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