[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 148 (Wednesday, October 31, 2001)]
[House]
[Pages H7531-H7532]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             SUPPORT PRESIDENT ON AIRLINE SECURITY MEASURE

  (Mr. FOLEY asked and was given permission to address the House for 1

[[Page H7532]]

minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. FOLEY. Mr. Speaker, the President of the United States has asked 
us to pass an airline security measure tomorrow on this House floor. 
What our Commander in Chief and President has asked for is flexibility 
to hire people at airports to ensure the security of the traveling 
public.
  Plain and simple: President Bush is not going to risk the lives of 
Americans by buying on the cheap, so let us not get tied up in how or 
where they are employed or if they are called Federal employees. That 
seems to be the call from the other side of the aisle, that unless they 
are given a Federal ID Card, they will not adequately protect the 
traveling public.
  I suggest that we follow the guidelines laid out by President Bush. I 
must say, he has done a phenomenal job with our Nation in Afghanistan. 
He went to the Yankees game last night and stood on the mound and 
pitched the ball, showing he is not frightened to show up in a major 
stadium, and now he is asking for a tool to protect the American public 
as they travel.
  I urge this body not to get tied up in partisan politics of who hires 
and where they are hired and what union they belong to, but instead 
ensure that when you get on an aircraft you have been properly and 
thoroughly searched, that you are safely going to arrive at your 
destination.
  Support the President on this issue. It is important for travel and 
tourism in this country.

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