[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 73 (Thursday, June 6, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E965]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           MARITIME TRANSPORTATION ANTITERRORISM ACT OF 2002

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON-LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 4, 2002

  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise to support H.R. 3983, 
Maritime Transportation Antiterrorism Act. Commercial vessels continue 
to experience an increased threat of criminal attack. Vessels seem to 
bear the brunt of these attacks which manifest themselves in the form 
of sea robbery, hijacking, terrorism, and piracy.
  A complex set of security issues threaten the maritime industry and 
the movement of cargo in international trade. Those threats include 
terrorism, piracy, smuggling of stowaways and drugs, cargo theft and 
fraud, bribery and extortion. Enacting requisite port security measures 
and coordination, cooperation, and communication with government and 
maritime industry components are necessary.
  In my home District, the Port of Houston Authority is a dynamic port 
that has helped to fuel the Houston area's development as a center of 
international business and trade. Companies that do business 
internationally also find Houston attractive because of its well-
developed industrial and financial infrastructure; skilled work force; 
and diverse population. Ample space and favorable conditions for 
industrial development, as well as for cargo handling, makes the Port 
of Houston an excellent choice location for industry.
  Port security is an essential part for a safe, secure, and 
competitive operation of the maritime transportation system. It 
promotes the development of commerce and is an essential element in 
maritime trade competitiveness, which cannot be achieved merely by 
modernizing port infrastructure and increasing operating productivity.
  Consequently, port security can surface as a significant issue in 
trade negotiations and government and industry courses of action should 
be coordinated to facilitate effective solutions. Port authorities 
should develop the means for exchanging current information on port 
security issues and for the dissemination of intelligence to the 
commercial industry. We must protect our ports from criminal attacks 
and allow them to maintain their trade and commerce.
  H.R. 3983, Maritime Transportation Antiterrorism Act of 2002 helps to 
protect our ports, such as the Port of Houston. This bill directs the 
Secretary of Transportation to (1) assess port vulnerability; (2) 
prepare a National Maritime Transportation Antiterrorism Plan [the 
Plan] for deterring catastrophic emergencies; and (3) review and 
approve Area, vessel, and facility antiterrorism plans.
  Further, H.R. 3983 requires that the Plan to (1) coordinate Federal, 
State, and local efforts, including Coast Guard maritime antiterrorism 
teams and Federal Maritime Antiterrorism Coordinators; (2) identify 
security resources; and (3) include a system of surveillance and notice 
to ensure earliest possible identification of emergencies. The bill 
requires the Secretary to establish a system of antiterrorism response 
plans for vessels in coordination with the Federal Emergency Management 
Agency. The bill requires that there be transportation security cards 
for entry to any antiterrorism secure area of a vessel or facility. The 
bill requires the Under Secretary of Transportation for Security to 
develop and maintain an antiterrorism cargo identification and 
screening system, including performance standards for seals and locks 
of shipping containers.
  Moreover, H.R. 3983 requires that Federal Maritime Antiterrorism 
Coordinators develop, update, and integrate Area Maritime 
Transportation Antiterrorism Plans, as needed. The bill also requires 
owners or operators of vessels or facilities to prepare an 
antiterrorism plan for deterring a catastrophic emergency, including 
the identification of the plan implementor, the availability of 
antiterrorism measures, training and drills.
  H.R. 3983 directs the Secretary to establish maritime antiterrorism 
teams to protect vessels, ports, facilities, and cargo in U.S. waters. 
Also, H.R. 3983 directs the Secretary to assess the effectiveness of 
antiterrorism measures maintained at specified foreign ports and make 
recommendations for improvements, if necessary.
  The bill authorizes the Secretary to prescribe conditions of entry 
for or to deny entry into the United States to vessels arriving from 
foreign ports with ineffective antiterrorism measures. In addition, 
H.R. 3983 requires the advance electronic transmission of passenger and 
crew manifests from commercial vessels arriving in the United States 
from a foreign port.
  The increasing nature and international scope of the maritime 
security issues, which threatens our port, requires participation and 
response from all levels of government. The lack of a secure trade 
corridor can hamper the economic growth of a port and possibly the 
country itself. A viable maritime security program is good business. A 
much bigger economic interdependency exists within the entire 
transportation network. Ports are committed to developing effective 
maritime security programs based on the recognition of ports as 
interchange hubs of commerce, critical to international trade. 
Therefore, I strongly support H.R. 3983. This bill is good for the Port 
of Houston and good for American ports. Therefore, I strongly urge my 
fellow members to support this bill.

                          ____________________