[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 16]
[House]
[Page 22839]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



        UNIFORM AVIATION SECURITY IS IMPORTANT FOR RURAL AMERICA

  (Mr. OSBORNE asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. OSBORNE. Mr. Speaker, I have been surprised and amazed that 
nearly all the debate over airport security has focused on one issue, 
and that is the federalization of airport screening personnel.
  In my mind, three critical issues have been largely ignored. These 
issues are probably more important than any other.
  Number one, the Senate bill applied to only 142 of the largest 
airports in the country. Hundreds of airports were not regulated. In 
the State of Nebraska only one airport would have been regulated under 
that bill. The compromise bill applies to all airports in the United 
States regarding standards and personnel.
  Second, the Senate bill did not address the screening of checked 
baggage. The compromise bill requires 100 percent screening of all 
checked baggage.
  Third, the Senate bill did not regulate baggage handlers, caterers 
and mechanics. The compromise bill does.
  Closing these loopholes has been critical. The American public will 
be much safer due to these changes. I think it is very important that 
we pass this bill.

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