[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 133 (Thursday, September 25, 2003)]
[House]
[Page H8909]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




SUPPORT COMPREHENSIVE MANDATORY SECURITY TRAINING FOR FLIGHT ATTENDANTS

  (Mrs. LOWEY asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to express my support for 
comprehensive mandatory security training of the Nation's flight 
attendants. A bipartisan measure included in the FAA reauthorization 
bills passed by the House and Senate would have required the TSA to 
establish clear, consistent security training standards for all flight 
attendants, regardless of airline affiliation.
  The agreement would have ensured fight attendants received self-
defense instruction as well as training to coordinate effectively with 
Federal air marshals, closing a glaring gap in the Nation's aviation 
security program.
  Unfortunately, this critical provision was stripped, apparently at 
the behest of a single carrier, from the final conference report. Under 
the new language, TSA could, but would not be required to, issue 
guidelines for flight attendant security training programs. In the 
absence of a statutory requirement, TSA is unlikely to establish the 
rigorous training program demanded by flight attendants.
  Forcing flight attendants with no prior self-defense training to 
confront well-armed, suicide terrorists is unfair and unwise. Flight 
attendants are uniquely capable of disrupting a potentially devastating 
terrorist attack. The attempted hijacking of a Quantas flight in May is 
a good example. The incident, which left two flight attendants and two 
passengers with stab wounds, dramatically illustrates the consequences 
of inadequate security training.
  The Department of Homeland Security's recent warning of another 
suicide hijacking reminds us of the perils of complacency. I was 
pleased that the Committee on Rules reported out a resolution 
recommitting the reauthorization bill to conference. As this 
legislation is rewritten, I urge my colleagues to support restoration 
of the original flight attendant training language.

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