[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 148 (Wednesday, October 31, 2001)]
[House]
[Page H7534]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              SUPPORT H.R. 3150, THE AIRLINE SECURITY ACT

  (Mr. GIBBONS asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, as someone who spent 17 years as an airline 
pilot, a commercial airline pilot for major airlines, I believe I have 
as much experience as anyone here spending time in and out of our 
airports; and I want to assure my colleagues that I come today to show 
my support for H.R. 3150, the Airline Security Act, which we will deal 
with tomorrow.
  A few weeks ago I was watching a news program on television, and on 
this particular program they tested the inadequacy of airport security. 
Sadly, this test was no television production. Poor airport security 
has become a reality. The events of September 11 have shown us that 
airport security needs a dramatic and drastic overhaul.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 3150 is the right solution to improving our 
aviation safety in the skies over America, and in order to make flying 
safer and our airports more secure, we must federalize our airport 
security standards. H.R. 3150 puts to good use more than $500 million 
that will bolster the front lines of airport security. It will place 
more air marshals in the skies and in our airlines. It will mandate 
fortified cockpit doors and give flexibility when it comes to hiring 
either Federal security personnel or federally certified security 
contractors. Support H.R. 3150.

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