[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 78 (Friday, May 11, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1031]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          HOLDING CONTRACTORS ACCOUNTABLE FOR AIRPORT SECURITY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MARK STEVEN KIRK

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 10, 2007

  Mr. KIRK. Madam Speaker, today I join my colleague from Illinois, Mr. 
Lipinski, in introducing legislation (H.R. 2288) that will address a 
security loophole endangering millions of Americans. One lesson we 
learned from September 11 is the importance of airport security. The 
security of our airports has a glaring weakness: badges.
  According to a CBS Channel 2 Chicago investigative report, 3,760 
aviation security badges have gone missing from O'Hare Airport since 
2004. These badges are the only identification necessary for law 
enforcement officials, independent contractors, baggage handlers, 
flight attendants, and pilots to enter O'Hare. Aside from these 
aviation security badges, no baggage inspections, metal detectors, or 
other searches are required to enter the airfield. The investigative 
report revealed that airport contractors are unwilling to reclaim 
badges from employees who quit, were fired, or otherwise reassigned.
  This casual attitude towards reclaiming security badges is not 
acceptable. O'Hare registered more than 477,000 flights in 2005. In 
light of last year's liquid explosive threat, there remains a risk of 
terrorist attacks on domestic and international flights. Given this 
threat, we must know with certainty who has unrestricted access to the 
airport, terminals, baggage, and aircraft and if they remain 
trustworthy and authorized to work in a secure area.
  This problem is not isolated to Chicago. According to data compiled 
by the Congressional Research Service, many of the Nation's airports 
have similar problems reclaiming security badges. In early February, 
officials at the Los Angeles International Airport reported more than 
120 missing Transportation Security Administration uniforms and badges. 
In Oakland, 500 badges went missing last year. At Buffalo Airport in 
New York, nearly 40 security badges were reported missing or stolen in 
2006. Forty-two turned up missing in Dallas.
  What we need now is for the private contractors who employ airport 
employees to be held accountable for what should be a routine business 
practice. Under this legislation, contractors must make a reasonable 
effort to retrieve badges from employees whose term of employment ends, 
and must notify the local airport authority of the termination within 
24 hours. Failure to do would result in a civil fine of up to $10,000 
per badge per day. Mr. Lipinski and I crafted this bill in consultation 
with the Airports Council International of North America, our Nation's 
largest airport association.
  In the post-September 11 environment, we must ensure professional 
vigilance to secure our Nation's airports. We need private contractors 
to be held accountable for what should be a routine business practice. 
By hitting contractors where it hurts--their pocketbooks--we can help 
make our Nation's airports safer.

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