[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 80 (Thursday, June 16, 2005)]
[House]
[Page H4565]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  URGING THE PROTECTION OF AMERICA'S FLYING PUBLIC FROM THE THREAT OF 
                        SHOULDER-FIRED MISSILES

  (Ms. BEAN asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Ms. BEAN. Mr. Speaker, I am here to urge my colleagues to act now to 
protect America's flying public from the threat of shoulder-fired 
missiles.
  Unfortunately, today, thousands of portable, easy-to-use antiaircraft 
missiles are in the hands of terrorist groups around the world, 
including al Qaeda. The FBI, CIA, State Department, and White House 
recognize this serious threat. Now is the time for Congress to act.
  Mr. Speaker, the Department of Homeland Security has been diligently 
working to apply successful military technology to our commercial 
aircraft, and now, for the same cost as in-flight entertainment 
systems, we can install proven portable defense systems on passenger 
jets.
  Just this week, the Chicago Tribune editorialized that the financial 
costs of safeguarding our airlines are well worth it. However, while we 
have spent billions of dollars on transportation security since 9/11, 
Congress has not yet committed to providing such protection.
  Last week, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Israel) and I introduced 
the Commercial Airline Missile Defense Act, authorizing the TSA to 
provide missile defense systems to our commercial passenger jets. Today 
I urge my colleagues to cosponsor H.R. 2780 and join us in protecting 
America's business and family travelers.

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