[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 74 (Wednesday, June 10, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1081]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

[[Page E1081]]



               THE FEDERAL PROTECTIVE SERVICE REFORM ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. JAMES A. TRAFICANT, JR.

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 10, 1998

  Mr. TRAFICANT. Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing the Federal 
Protective Service Reform Act of 1998. This legislation makes much 
needed reforms to the Federal Protective Service (FPS). These reforms 
will allow FPS to better meet the growing threat posed by terrorism to 
federal buildings and the people who work in and visit federal 
buildings.
  On April 19, 1995, a truck bomb destroyed the Alfred P. Murrah 
federal building in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The tragic and despicable 
act killed 168 people and wounded hundreds of others. The Oklahoma City 
bombing served as a sober reminder that the United States is not immune 
to acts of terror. The bombing also revealed that we were woefully 
unprepared for such an act.
  I was deeply disturbed to learn that there was only one contract 
security guard on duty in Oklahoma City on April 19, 1995. That 
contract guard was responsible for providing security at the Murrah 
building and two other federal buildings in Oklahoma City. There is 
evidence that those responsible for bombing the Murrah building cased 
the building in the days and weeks leading up to the bombing. The fact 
that the Murrah building was, for the most part, unprotected, could 
have played a role in the decision of the terrorists to bomb that 
building.
  In the wake of the Oklahoma City bombing, the Public Building Service 
(PBS) of the General Services Administration (GSA) has made great 
strides in improving the physical security of the 8,300 federal 
buildings under its control. But, as a recent hearing by the 
Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Public Buildings and 
Economic Development revealed, the security upgrade program initiated 
in the wake of the Oklahoma City bombing has been hindered by 
mismanagement and a reduction in staffing. In addition, structural and 
personnel problems within the Federal Protective Service are also 
hindering GSA's ability to upgrade and improve security.
  At the present time the FPS is a unit within PBS. The head of FPS 
reports to the PBS commissioner. The PBS commissioner does not have a 
law enforcement background and his main responsibility is real estate 
management--not law enforcement. While we do have a very able and 
talented PBS commissioner, I did not believe that security is best 
served by having FPS as a sub-entity within PBS.
  While I recognize that the use of contract guards is necessary, I am 
concerned that the use of contract guards may not be appropriate at 
certain federal buildings. I am also concerned over the fact that 
contract guards do not undergo the same type of background checks as 
FPS officers. All FPS officers undergo a full and detailed background 
investigation, including a review by the Federal Bureau of 
Investigation. Contract guards, on the other hand, only undergo a 
cursory background check. At the present time there are only 648 full-
time FPS officers, as opposed to more than 5,000 contract guards. The 
best deterrent to a terrorist bombing or attack on a federal building 
is a highly trained, professional and fully staffed FPS.
  I have great admiration for the men and women who serve so ably on 
the FPS. That's why I am deeply troubled that FPS officers are paid 
significantly less than other federal law enforcement officers that 
perform the same function. This is not fair. Equally as disturbing, the 
low level of compensation combined with poor communication between 
management and the rank and file is causing a morale and turnover 
problem that could further compromise security. Morale plays a key role 
in the effectiveness of any law enforcement agency. The Federal 
Protective Service Reform Act will make the changes needed to boost 
morale, improve management and make FPS better able to respond to 
terrorist threats to federal buildings.
  Quite simply, Mr. Speaker, the goal of my legislation is to remake 
the FPS into an elite federal law enforcement agency with a well 
trained, professionally led, highly motivated and appropriately 
compensated cadre of officers. Another goal is to ensure that decisions 
to how best to ensure the security of federal buildings are based on 
sound law enforcement and intelligence analysis--not on budgetary 
considerations. The main features of the Federal Protective Service 
Reform Act will:
  Establish, by statute, the Federal Protective Service as a 
freestanding service within GSA, with the responsibility of serving as 
the principal law enforcement and security agency in the United States 
with respect to the protection of federal officers and employees in 
buildings and areas under GSA's control (under the Public Buildings 
Act, the GSA Administrator has the authority to appoint special police 
officers and investigators, but the Act does not require GSA to 
establish an FPS).
  Make FPS a service within GSA, separate from PBS. Under the bill, the 
FPS would have its own commissioner who will report directly to the GSA 
Administrator (currently the head of FPS has the title of Assistant 
Commissioner within the Public Building Service).
  Clarify the responsibilities and authority of FPS officers, including 
giving them the ability to carry firearms to and from work, providing 
officers with a ``buffer zone'' of responsibility extending as far as 
500 feet from a federal building, and clearly delineating the 
circumstances under which FPS officers can make arrests.
  Establish a pay scale and benefit package for FPS officers similar to 
that of the Uniformed Division of the Secret Service.
  Require GSA to hire at least 730 full-time FPS officers within one 
year of enactment of the bill into law, and bar GSA from reducing the 
number of full-time FPS officers unless specifically authorized by 
Congress (the PBS commissioner recently stated that GSA's long-term 
goal is to have 724 full-time FPS officers).
  Require contract guards to undergo the same background checks as FPS 
officers, and require GSA to prescribe adequate training standards for 
contract guards.
  Direct a General Accounting Office study of the feasibility of 
merging all federal building security services under FPS.
  Require that the FPS Commissioner be a career civil servant with 
extensive law enforcement experience.
  Direct FPS to work closely with other federal agencies in gathering 
and analyzing intelligence.
  Direct the FPS commissioner to provide assistance, upon request, to 
other federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.
  Mr. Speaker, the Federal Protective Service Reform Act of 1998 is an 
urgently needed piece of legislation that will allow this country to 
better protect itself from a terrorist attack. This legislation should 
be an integral part of our counter-terrorism strategy. I urge all 
Members to support this bill.

                          ____________________