[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 23 (Thursday, March 3, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E354]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS VULNERABILITY AND REDUCTION ACT OF 2005

                                 ______
                                 

                    HON. JUANITA MILLENDER-McDONALD

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 3, 2005

  Ms. MILLENDER-McDONALD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce the 
Public Transportation Systems Vulnerability and Reduction Act of 2005.
  Securing our Nation's public transportation system has been a top 
priority of mine.
  For years, governments around the world have recognized that public 
transportation is a major terrorist target. Until 9/11 the United 
States has been largely spared the kinds of terrorist campaigns waged 
against public surface transportation. However, we cannot wait for a 
tragedy to happen before we address our vulnerabilities.
  An October 2001 study released by the Mineta Institute, Protecting 
Public Surface Transportation Against Terrorism and Serious Crime: An 
Executive Overview cites that between 1920 and 2000 there have been 
approximately 900 terrorist attacks and other significant criminal 
incidents involving public surface transportation systems.
  However, all but 14 of these attacks occurred after 1970, the year 
that marks the beginning of modern terrorism.
  Attacks against transportation and transportation infrastructures 
accounted for 42 percent of all international terrorist attacks, 
according to the most recent statistics provided by the USDOT Office of 
Intelligence and Security in 1998.
  These statistics play out before our eyes on CNN. Last year alone, we 
witnessed attacks on public transportation systems in Madrid and 
Moscow, not to mention the ongoing attacks in the Middle East.
  My legislation, The Public Transportation Systems Vulnerability and 
Reduction Act of 2005 will provide our Nation's transportation systems 
and workers with the training and funding to help protect our homeland. 
This legislation will provide funding for:
  Ongoing vulnerability assessments which will build continuously on 
information collected, allowing for easier implementation of new 
technologies that will assist in averting terrorist attacks on all 
modes of public transportation.
  Training programs for frontline transit employees, ensuring that 
employees, who are the eyes and ears of transportation systems, are 
prepared to respond to emergency situations.
  Development and implementation of local and regional emergency 
preparedness plans that fully utilize a community's transportation 
resources.
  Provides $25 million a year, $100 million over 4 years for emergency 
preparedness and response training.
  I ask my colleagues to join me in working to provide our Nation's 
transportation systems and employees the resources to protect our 
communities.
  I urge you to support the Public Transportation Systems Vulnerability 
and Reduction Act of 2005.

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