    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2001, Book II)]
    [October 25, 2001]
    [Page 1304]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    [[Page 1304]]

    Letter to the Speaker of the House of Representatives on Proposed
    Aviation Security Legislation
    October 25, 2001

    Dear Mr. Speaker:
        The quickest, most effective way to increase aviation security is to
    pass H.R. 3150, the Secure Transportation for America Act. Time is of
    the essence. I urge your support for H.R. 3150. Making American air
    travel as safe and secure as possible is one of our Nation's top
    priorities. Last month, I proposed dramatic changes to our aviation
    security system: full Federal control of airport security and screening
    services; major expansion of the Federal Air Marshal program; and
    substantial new funding for aircraft security modifications. H.R. 3150
    would accomplish these important initiatives and improve security
    quickly and effectively.
        Both my proposal and H.R. 3150 give the Federal Government immediate
    and comprehensive control of aviation security. A new Transportation
    Security Agency, housed at the Department of Transportation, will hire
    Federal employees to supervise, manage, and train all passenger and
    baggage screeners. The new Security Agency would also establish and
    enforce new qualification standards for screeners, perform background
    checks on all screeners and other persons with access to secure areas at
    airports, and provide a uniformed Federal law enforcement presence at
    commercial airports.
        Significantly, H.R. 3150 leaves the Federal Government the
    flexibility to build the best workforce to perform the actual screening
    function--another key element of my proposal. This model of Federal
    control plus flexibility mirrors the well-regarded airline security
    systems in place in many European countries, which involve public/
    private partnerships. Many adopted this model of strong government
    oversight over high-quality private security companies after finding
    other models of airline security to be less effective.
        Other legislative proposals would mandate that all passenger and
    baggage screeners must be Federal workers in all circumstances. Such an
    inflexible, one-size-fits-all requirement fails to permit security
    tailored to the very different circumstances that exist at airports
    across the country. I am pleased that Chairman Young and the co-sponsors
    of H.R. 3150 have chosen not to limit the Administration's options in
    choosing the strongest possible means to protect Americans who travel by
    air. Giving the Government the flexibility to use private contractors
    will facilitate transition to the new system, promote better screening
    services through competition, and ensure that security managers can move
    swiftly to discipline or remove employees who fail to live up to the
    rigorous new standards.
        The American people deserve a quick and smooth transition to a
    better aviation security system. I urge the House to pass H.R. 3150 as
    soon as possible; and my Administration looks forward to continuing to
    work with the Congress on any refinements that may be necessary to
    ensure that the Nation's aviation security needs are addressed in the
    most effective manner possible.
             Sincerely,

                                                              George W. Bush