[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 167 (Wednesday, December 5, 2001)]
[House]
[Page H8847]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1015
          DECREASING DELAY AND INCREASING SECURITY AT AIRPORTS

  (Mr. DUNCAN asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend the National Air 
Transportation Association and its leader, James K. Coyne, for coming 
up with an innovative Sky ID program. This plan would identify frequent 
flyers on commercial and general aviation planes and aviation personnel 
who could be classified as trusted travelers. They would have to 
undergo an intensive background check to be included in this program, 
but it would be completely voluntary, and people would be free to 
choose whether to participate or not. Their carry-on and other bags 
would still be screened, but this plan would be a significant step 
toward the goal of shortening the lines and reducing the delays at our 
Nation's airports.
  The plan would use advanced digital identification technology and 
would produce smart cards with biometric template information so they 
could not be used by others. This plan would be similar to security 
systems used in very sensitive areas by the Department of Defense.
  I want to encourage and urge the FAA to work closely with the 
National Air Transportation Association in this effort to decrease 
delays and, at the same time, increase security in a very low-cost way 
at our Nation's airports.

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