[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 160 (Monday, November 19, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2127]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 CONFERENCE REPORT ON S. 1447, AVIATION AND TRANSPORTATION SECURITY ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. ROBERT A. UNDERWOOD

                                of guam

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, November 16, 2001

  Mr. UNDERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased that the Congress has 
reached an agreement on the Aviation and Transportation Security Act. 
We should support this measure because it will restore public 
confidence in flying and protect the professionals who work within the 
airline industry. With its passage we can further our recovery from the 
devastating attacks of September 11th. I commend those Members, most 
especially Mr. Young and Mr. Oberstar, who worked so tirelessly to 
reach this compromise.
  As a result of this measure, airports will receive the technology 
needed to effectively screen passengers and baggage, airplanes will 
receive more secure cockpit doors, and flight crews and airport 
personnel will receive essential emergency training specific to 
terrorist and hijacking situations. Most of all, the American people 
will once again be assured about the safety of air travel.
  As my colleagues may know, Guam is 19 flying hours away from 
Washington, DC. The people of Guam, in an isolated and distant 
territory, rely heavily on air travel for jobs, economic activity, and 
their own transportation to and from the mainland. Our island's economy 
is heavily dependent on the travel and tourism industry. Each year over 
1 million Japanese tourists visit Guam. For our economy to survive, 
travel to and from Guam by air must continue to remain strong. Passage 
of this measure would support Guam's economy.
  It is for these reasons that I support this conference agreement. I 
would add that while I urge its passage, I believe the U.S. citizenship 
requirements for Federal screeners should be revisited in the future. 
Today, many citizens of the Freely Associated States of Micronesia, a 
former trust territory of the United States, serve as screeners at Guam 
International Airport. I would hope that their eligibility would be 
examined in any future review of this requirement.

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