[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 73 (Thursday, June 6, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E968]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E968]]
           MARITIME TRANSPORTATION ANTITERRORISM ACT OF 2002

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                               speech of

                          HON. EARL BLUMENAUER

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 4, 2002

  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Madam Speaker, I support H.R. 3983, the Maritime 
Transportation Antiterrorism Act. This legislation takes critical steps 
to address the security of our ports and the cargo that passes through 
them.
  However, I do have concerns about a provision that requires the 
development of a cargo identification and screening system that would 
require detailed information to be provided to U.S. Customs Service 24 
hours prior to the time the cargo is loaded at its origination point. 
The level of detail required and the timing of its delivery to the U.S. 
Customs Service for the more than six million containers that are 
shipped to the United States each year may be unduly burdensome to the 
ports, importers, customs brokers, and freight forwarders that will be 
saddled with this task.
  As 95 percent of our international trade arrives via the oceans, I 
fully support the aims of this bill. Though, I hope the concern I have 
expressed can be alleviated in conference.

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