[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 16]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 22393]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                  H.R. 3150 ``AVIATION SECURITY ACT''

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. MAJOR R. OWENS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 13, 2001

  Mr. OWENS. Mr. Speaker, the time to maintain the status quo is over. 
The attacks of September 11th along with the recent Anthrax scare have 
left the public frightened and confused over who will ultimately take 
responsibility. Repeatedly the President has called on the American 
public to return to business as ususal; that can only happen once the 
House follows the Senate's lead by passing a comprehensive Aviation 
Security Bill. The eyes of the American public are focused squarely on 
this chamber. Just recently the American Federation of Government 
Employees commented ``Airport security, is a national defense concern. 
It should not be the responsibility of profit-driven companies to 
protect travelers, given the war-like dangers of today's world. 
Forprofit contractors are notorious for ``cutting corners'' on 
essential services.''
  The key to solving our nation's aviation crisis will not simply go 
away by deputizing airline screeners. The American people demand a 
common sense approach that will restore consumer confidence by 
improving airline security. However, the window of opportunity is now 
beginning to close; now is the time to act responsibly before millions 
of people choose another form of transportation during the holiday 
season. To ensure the attacks of September 11th never occur again this 
House must follow the Senate's lead and pass a comprehensive bill that 
strengthens employee training and security background checks. We must 
act now to prevent future tragedies from occurring within our Nation's 
borders!
  Since the September 11th tragedy consumer confidence in the airline 
industry has virtually disappeared. Nearly every major carrier has 
announced that thousands of employees will be laid off over the next 
year. The American people continue to look to us for leadership and 
guidance during such troubling times. Unfortunately, the Republican 
leadership has squandered an opportunity to restore consumer confidence 
and continue the bipartisan effort to stabilize the aviation industry. 
Mr. Speaker, quite simply H.R. 3150 is a farce, a scam, a way to trick 
the American people into believing that the Republican leadership truly 
cares about workers and citizens who depend on the airline industry. 
Anyone who closely examines the bill will find that the Republican 
House leadership has chosen to protect airline industry ``fat cats'' 
and ignore the voice of the American people.
  Rewarding the same private screening companies that have continuously 
failed to protect the American public is outrageous. The Republican 
leadership can not pretend to have the interests of the American people 
in mind when airport baggage companies are poised to make millions of 
dollars through new contracts. The GOP bill does not mirror the 
language in the Oberstar amendment which federalizes airport screeners 
and transfers their day to day oversight from the Transportation 
Department to the Justice Department. The Democratic alternative takes 
a stand the Republican leadership refuses to take; we provide strong 
oversight and place the responsibility for the safety of the American 
people firmly in the hands of the federal government.

                          ____________________