[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 37, Number 44 (Monday, November 5, 2001)]
[Pages 1562-1563]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
The President's Radio Address

October 27, 2001

    Good morning. I'm pleased to report that our Nation continues to 
take important steps in the war against terrorism. Next week, the House 
of Representatives will be voting on an airline security bill that 
Congressman Don Young has introduced.
    It was modeled after proposals I made last month. Under the Young 
bill, the Federal Government will assume complete control of airport 
security and screening. It also greatly expands the Federal air marshal 
program and provides substantial new funding for secure cockpits and 
other security measures aboard airplanes.
    There's a critical difference between the Young bill and the bill 
the Senate passed a few weeks ago. My approach gives the Government the 
flexibility it needs to assemble a skilled and disciplined screening 
workforce.
    The Senate bill mandates that all passenger and baggage screeners be 
Federal workers in all circumstances. While that bill is well-intended, 
the best approach will be one that provides flexibility. The Young bill 
allows the use of private contractors operating under tough Federal 
standards on background checks with Federal law enforcement at every 
gate to promote better screening services, and ensure that security 
managers can move aggressively to discipline or fire employees who fail 
to live up to the rigorous new standards.
    The Young bill is the quickest, most effective way to increase 
aviation security. And time is of the essence. I urge Congress to move 
quickly on this vital legislation, as it did this week in passing new 
legislation to fight terrorism.
    The bill I signed yesterday gives intelligence and law enforcement 
officials additional tools they need to hunt and capture and punish 
terrorists. Our enemies operate by highly sophisticated methods and 
technologies, using the latest means of communication and the new weapon 
of bioterrorism.
    When earlier laws were written, some of these methods did not even 
exist. The new law recognizes the realities and dangers posed by the 
modern terrorist. It will help us to prosecute terrorist organizations--
and also to detect them before they strike.
    Since 11th of September, the men and women of our intelligence and 
law enforcement agencies have been relentless in their work. In return 
for their exceptional service, these public servants deserve our full 
support, and every means of help that we can provide. Intelligence 
operations and criminal investigations have often had to operate on 
separate tracks. The new law will make it easier for all agencies to 
share vital information about terrorist activity.
    Surveillance of communications is another essential method of law 
enforcement. But for a long time, we have been working under laws 
written in the era of rotary telephones. Under the new law, officials 
may conduct court-ordered surveillance of all modern forms of 
communication used by terrorists.
    In recent years, some investigations have been hindered by limits on 
the reach of Federal search warrants. Officials had to get a new warrant 
for each new district and investigation covered, even when involving the 
same suspect. As of now, warrants are valid across districts and across 
State lines.
    And finally, the new legislation greatly enhances the penalties that 
will fall on terrorists or anyone who helps them. Federal law now 
provides harsh penalties for possession of biological weapons. It is now 
easier to seize the assets of groups or individuals involved in 
terrorism. Government has greater ability to deport known terrorists and 
their supporters. And the statute of limitations on terrorist acts have 
been lengthened, along with prison sentences, for terrorist crimes.
    These measures were enacted with broad support in both parties. They 
reflect a firm resolve to uphold and respect the civil liberties 
guaranteed by the Constitution, while dealing swiftly and severely with 
terrorists.
    Now comes the duty of carrying them out. And I can assure all 
Americans that these important new statutes will be enforced to the 
full.

[[Page 1563]]

    Thank you for listening.

Note: The address was recorded at 11:50 a.m. on October 26 in the 
Cabinet Room at the White House for broadcast at 10:06 a.m. on October 
27. The transcript was made available by the Office of the Press 
Secretary on October 26 but was embargoed for release until the 
broadcast. The Office of the Press Secretary also released a Spanish 
language transcript of this address.