On behalf of Secretary Mineta, thank you for allowing us to join you today.  I know that Undersecretary for Policy Jeff Shane spoke to you this morning.  And both of us see our participation — as members of Secretary Mineta’s team — as a tremendous opportunity to carry forward the Secretary’s priorities.  Many of the initiatives I will talk about — and their successful implementation — will require your active engagement and incomparable expertise.  And, this is a remarkable collection of aviation experts all in one room … and all with one purpose … to build a 21^st century aviation system.

Now, we are on the cusp of the second century of aviation … and our challenge, as Jeff said this morning, is “to transform the nation’s air transportation system in order to accommodate the air transport needs of the 21^st century.”

Transforming air transportation is a tremendous challenge. Yet, this is a nation … and aerospace is a community … that has faced and overcome many challenges.

How many can remember President Kennedy’s speech to Congress in 1961? This was the speech in which he challenged the nation with his vision to put a man on the moon by the end of the decade.

But what he said is important … and I quote: “I believe we possess all the resources and talents necessary. But the facts of the matter are that we have never made the national decisions or marshaled the national resources required for such leadership.”

“…never made the national decisions or marshaled the national resources…”

Yet, with the help of a dedicated aerospace community, American know-how, and leadership that is what the nation then did. And 34 years ago this week … the Eagle landed.

Like those who came before us, we’re moving ahead. We are making the national decisions. We are marshaling the resources.

Of course, James Webb and NASA didn’t start with Apollo 11 … there were ten earlier missions … including Apollo 10 two months prior, which was a complete staging of the mission. There was a lot of hard work … and a lot of preparation.

And, we too, just as surely … are plotting our path … step by step … to the future.

As a first step, we’re finalizing FAA’s strategic plan … our “Flight Plan” for 2004 – 2008. And we are looking for your comments and suggestions on this draft plan. I hope to hear from you.

Initiated last February, this has been an intensive strategic planning process. The plan lays out clear and measurable goals … it’s tied to the budget … and it will be pulsed, measured, and adapted as necessary. Most important of all, it will be followed. It is a management tool. This is a plan that was costed out … it’s the first time this has been done.

There are four overall goals in the plan. We start, of course, with safety, our primary goal. The second is to increase capacity in order to meet the expectations of passengers and the needs of a revived industry … third is to restore the international leadership of American aviation … and the fourth goal is organizational excellence … to make the FAA more business-like, more accountable, and more efficient.

For our top goal in our draft plan — and that is safety — we are committed to reduce the number of all accidents … not just those in which injuries occur. We’re doing this through improved oversight, information gathering and sharing, and targeted and preventive measures.

We — and “we” means the entire aviation community, not just the FAA — are making great progress. At the end of May, we’d already achieved a 61 percent reduction in commercial fatal accident from the baseline (1994 – 1996).

One of the biggest safety — as well as capacity — improvements on the immediate horizon is Required Navigation Performance … RNP. With its high degree of precision it allows us to fly more planes, more closely, and more safely than before.

A year ago today, the FAA committed to develop and implement a plan to establish public-use RNP airspace procedures in U.S. domestic airspace within 12 months.

I’m here today to announce that we met that commitment. Working with industry we have published the “road map” that will allow the development of approach, terminal, and enroute procedures so that with sophisticated onboard technology pilots will be able to navigate to any point in the world using only geographic coordinates. The “road map” describes the near, mid, and long-term milestones that must be met to fully implement RNP.

RNP figures prominently in our strategic plan. WAAS — turned on two weeks ago — is also key. So is a concentration on weather — using technology to increase runway use in bad weather, as well as even more collaboration to improve traffic flow.

And we’re paying a lot of attention to the environment. You know, it’s tough to add capacity if you’re not a good neighbor. We understand that … and we intend to address that … through mitigation … measurement and standards … and research.

In the area of international leadership … we’re working with our international partners to promote improved safety and regulatory oversight as well as to foster seamless operations … through interoperability and harmonization of standards. This is a big assignment, which is why we created a separate international office earlier this year.

At the same time we’re extending our focus beyond our borders, we must also look within. We must address the FAA’s internal challenges. This is why a fourth, and final, part of our strategic plan is promoting organizational excellence.

The FAA needs to improve the way it manages resources. One major step we’re taking is bringing Russ Chew on board next week as the new Chief Operating Officer.

In addition to operational expertise, Russ brings an important business perspective. We know we need to do a better job with metrics, with accountability, and with making sure we’re structured for success. The corporate sector has much to offer. Russ will help in all of these areas.

After the “Flight Plan,” which outlines our course of action for 2004 through 2008, the Operational Evolution Plan plots the next stage in our continuum to the future. I know everyone here knows about the OEP, our rolling ten-year plan to add capacity.

This centennial year is a banner year for capacity … especially on the ground. We’re opening four runways this year — Denver, Houston, Miami, and Orlando. I’m looking forward to going to Miami next month to open that new 8,600–foot runway, which boosts that airport’s capacity by as much as 20 percent in bad weather.

Now, looking further out — as you’ve heard all morning — meeting our nation’s needs in the 21^st century global economy will require transforming every aspect of air transportation. This will change how we move through airport terminals … with checkpoints that are transparent to the traveler. New aircraft that will greatly reduce noise, emissions, fuel usage, and wake issues will make aviation one of the most environmentally friendly and affordable means of transportation. Connecting rural and suburban communities to global markets with on-demand service and low-cost jets will propel economic growth. Then, there are opportunities such as the use of unmanned vehicles for routine operations such as carrying cargo.And think about managing the uncertainties in weather and events that plague present operations with intelligent agent software and information networks.

We must think about travel and transportation the same way passengers and shippers do … from curb to curb … from one corner of the world to another … safely, easily, and seamlessly.

That is aviation’s call to action … the 21^st century equivalent of last century’s man on the moon.

Creating a vision for 2025 — and a transformation plan to take us there — is a huge challenge. It cuts across borders … international and interagency. And that is why we’re working under Secretary Mineta’s leadership … with NASA … with the Department of Defense … with the Department of Homeland Security … and with the Department of Commerce. As you know, we call it our JPO … Joint Planning Office.

You’ve heard a lot about this today. Our JPO has been up and running for two months. Let me stress this: all new and innovative ideas are welcome at 801 Pennsylvania Avenue. And, it’s a national office, not an FAA office. All five principal government agencies are represented there. We also have an advisory committee, led by Jerry Thompson.

We all have a part to play … and a big stake in the outcome. And, this is not just a national concern. Aviation is a global concern. This is why I’ve reached out to my European counterparts … in May when I was in Prague for ATCA … and last month when I was in Brussels. I met with Loyola de Palacio, European Transport Commissioner, and Victor Aguado of Eurocontrol.

The foundation has been laid. RTCA provided a concept of operations … the most complete document of its kind. Boeing has done much work on future ATM. And we can build on these. Yet air transportation is broader than air traffic management; it includes airports, aircraft, and engines. In addition to safety and capacity, I can’t stress enough that the environment and sustainability will become increasingly important.

I see joint research and public discourse … as a community … to transform our infrastructure, procedures, and policies so that America stays at the forefront of aviation. And it’s our job at the FAA to move us forward and make sure all of our plans and programs at the FAA support this important national goal.

You know, it was focus … and determination … and leadership … that propelled our nation’s leadership in space … from President Kennedy’s words on the House floor … to Neil Armstrong’s giant leap for mankind on the moon.

And that is exactly how we are approaching the 21st century air transportation imperative … with focus … and determination … and leadership. After all, and every step forward in aviation — large and small alike — bring giant leaps — tremendous benefits — to our community, to our economy, and to our citizens.

It is an imperative. We must build the future and we must build it now.