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The Honorable W. WIllard Wirtz    May 13. 1968

What does it suggest, however, is that we are more than entitled to that which FAA has consistently denied for nearly ten years - a full public opportunity to present our evidence and to have a fair evaluation of that evidence. 

5. Finally, we are fully prepared, once all the evidence has been placed on the record, to let the chips fall where they may. We believe that the joint responsibility of all those of us who are privileged to hold positions of public trust in the air transportation industry owe the public the fullest candor. This, is our view, necessarily includes willingness to accept a decision reached after all available facts have been weighed. We would expect every fair-minded person to be appalled, particularly in this industry, by a suggestion that fact and evidence consistent with a decision previously reached, and which tend to discredit that decision, should be suppressed or ignored. 

None of the foregoing should be construed as an effort by this Association to have FAA action reviewed by your Department. We have no such purpose. Our single objective is to persuade you that the practice of compulsory retirement of airline pilots at age 60 is a subject deserving of your consideration and of joint exploration between us, as you proceed to discharge your responsibility under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967. Nor is this letter intended as a summation of evidence. It is rather a request for an opportunity to participate with you in joint exploration of this problem in the manner contemplated by the act. 

It is our hope that, when you have heard all the evidence, you will, under Section 5 and 13 of the Act, have been persuaded to recommend such further legislation by Congress as may be appropriate under these circumstances. 

The Air Line Pilots Association has created a Special Age 60 retirement Committee of which I am Chairman, and has directed that we take all necessary and appropriate action concerning this subject. A careful reading of the Age Discrimination in Employment Act has convinced us that you office, acting under several applicable provisions of that Act, may properly explore this matter with us, so that a fair and objective evaluation of the Age 60 rule may finally ensue.