[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 201 (Thursday, November 18, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1258]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





 RECOGNIZING THE SERVICE AND SACRIFICES OF THE TRANSPORTATION SECURITY 
  ADMINISTRATION'S EMPLOYEES AND OFFICERS ON THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF 
                          TSA'S ESTABLISHMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 18, 2021

  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, I join with the Ranking 
Member of the House Homeland Security Committee, John Katko, and 
Transportation and Maritime Security Subcommittee Chairwoman Bonnie 
Watson Coleman and Ranking Member Carlos Gimenez, to mark tomorrow's 
20th anniversary of the establishment of the Transportation Security 
Administration.
  Following the devastating attacks of September 11, 2001, Federal 
authorities undertook the massive effort to safeguard and defend our 
national transportation system. In the past two decades, TSA has 
implemented advanced security technologies, responded to new and ever-
changing threats, and protected the lives of billions of passengers 
from around the country and across the globe. Today, even amid the 
dangers of the COVID-19 pandemic, Transportation Security Officers, 
Federal Air Marshals, Transportation Security Inspectors, and other TSA 
employees continue to serve on the front lines and protect the lives of 
passengers and the security of cargo traveling by air, sea, road, and 
rail.
  I include in the Record the text of a resolution recognizing the 
service and sacrifices of TSA's employees and officers on the 20th 
anniversary of TSA's establishment.

                               Resolution

       Recognizing the service and sacrifices of the 
     Transportation Security Administration's employees and 
     officers on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the 
     establishment of TSA and the role TSA's employees and 
     officers play in keeping our Nation secure.
       Whereas November 19, 2021, marks the 20th anniversary of 
     the enactment of the Aviation and Transportation Security Act 
     (Public Law 107-71), which amended title 49, United States 
     Code, to establish the Transportation Security Administration 
     (TSA);
       Whereas the TSA was established following the September 11, 
     2001, terrorist attacks, with the mission to secure 
     transportation systems and restore confidence in air travel;
       Whereas for 20 years TSA employees and officers have 
     bravely served on the front lines keeping our skies and the 
     traveling public safe, even in the face of targeted attacks 
     such as that which took the life of Officer Gerardo 
     Hernandez;
       Whereas the TSA has remained on the front lines at our 
     Nation's airports throughout the COVID-19 pandemic;
       Whereas the TSA has had over 10,000 employees test positive 
     for COVID-19, with 32 TSA employees having lost their lives 
     from March 2020 through October 2021;
       Whereas since its establishment, TSA employees and officers 
     have endeavored to improve security domestically and 
     internationally, across all modes of transportation, against 
     a wide range of evolving physical and cyber threats; and
       Whereas Americans will continue to look to TSA to be 
     vigilant in the face of known and emerging threats: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) recognizes--
       (A) the service and sacrifices of the TSA's employees and 
     officers on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the 
     establishment of TSA; and
       (B) the role TSA's employees and officers play in keeping 
     our Nation secure; and
       (2) encourages all Americans to observe TSA's 20th 
     anniversary with appropriate ceremonies and activities.

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