[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 117 (Friday, September 24, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1698]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    INTRODUCTION OF THE RAIL AND PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION SECURITY ACT

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                          HON. ROBERT MENENDEZ

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 23, 2004

  Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, today I am pleased to be joined by my 
Democratic colleague from New Jersey to introduce the Rail and Public 
Transportation Security Act, which would force the Federal Government 
to finally get serious about protecting our Nation's transit and 
intercity rail passengers.
  This bill addresses the tremendous disparity between what we spend on 
security for each airline passenger and what we spend for each bus and 
train passenger, who are no less vulnerable than those who fly. In 
fact, data from the National Memorial Institute for the Prevention of 
Terrorism shows that public transportation passengers are in far more 
danger worldwide than airline passengers. Since 9/11, there have been 
roughly 50 terrorist incidents targeting airports and airlines, 
resulting in about 120 deaths. In the same 3 years, there have been 
over 280 terrorist attacks on other transportation systems, with over 
600 fatalities.
  The recent attacks in Spain, and intelligence that terrorists may 
strike the rail and systems here in America, dictate that we now 
broaden our attention to also include rail and transit security. Each 
year, approximately 24 million intercity rail passengers ride Amtrak, 
and 9.6 billion people travel by transit. Every day, 32 million 
commuters, students, and tourists depend on our public transportation 
system. One of the ripple effects of 9/11 was that the aviation 
industry was shut down for several days. Imagine the social and 
economic dislocation that would occur if a major attack destroyed 
people's confidence in our transit system, or made it grind to a halt. 
The economic impact would be far greater than 9/11.
  Our Nation's rail and transit systems are highly vulnerable, and 
require at least $5.2 billion in capital equipment and $800 million in 
annual operating expenses to adequately meet security needs, according 
to the American Public Transportation Association. This legislation 
provides that funding, and just as importantly, it allows operating 
expense grant money to be used for the best security device of all: 
more police officers.
  Giving our transit agencies money for fences, cameras and explosive 
detection equipment is necessary, but only a half-measure unless we 
also give them money for the cops and security officers that make all 
that equipment work. This bill allows money to be used for hiring new 
cops and security officers, pay them overtime when necessary, deploy 
additional K-9 units, conduct helicopter patrols, and more. In short, 
it unties the hands of our transit agencies and lets them spend the 
money where they need it.
  This legislation also provides badly needed security and safety 
funding for Amtrak, including $670 million for safety upgrades to the 
tunnels that run underneath New York, Baltimore, and Washington, DC. 
These tunnels are simply not properly equipped for rescue operations or 
evacuation should either be necessary. An additional $62 million for 
Amtrak to put towards security expenses, including the hiring of 
additional police officers, is also provided.
  Mr. Speaker, this bill would authorize new research and development 
grants to help develop new technologies for both passenger and freight 
rail that can help reduce the threat of terrorist attacks. And since 
rail security involves more than just deterring terrorist attacks, the 
legislation would establish new inspection procedures for rail track, 
and set new standards for tank cars, to make sure their hazardous cargo 
isn't released in the event of an accident.
  I believe this bill is already long overdue. I urge my colleagues to 
imagine what we would have done, what action we would have taken, if 
the Madrid train bombings had occurred in our homeland, on our soil. 
What immediate investments would we have been ready to make? What 
urgent action would we have been willing to take?
  Well, we can do it now. Let's make that investment and take those 
actions now. Let's take what steps we can to reduce the risk to our 
Nation's transit. We don't need commissions and studies after a tragedy 
in order to act, so let's not get mired in that now. Nearly 3 years of 
needs assessment and analysis have occurred, and we have the data to 
put a program in place. All it takes is Congress having the gumption to 
act before a tragedy on the rails takes place in this country.

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