[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 37, Number 47 (Monday, November 26, 2001)]
[Pages 1687-1688]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks on Signing the Aviation and Transportation Security Act

November 19, 2001

    Thank you all very much. Today we take permanent and aggressive 
steps to improve the security of our airways. The events of September 
the 11th were a call to action. And the Congress has now responded.
    The law I will sign should give all Americans greater confidence 
when they fly. All Members of Congress care deeply about this issue. 
Despite divergent views, the Congress worked closely with my 
administration to develop a bipartisan conclusion that will help protect 
American air travelers.
    I want to thank the House and Senate leadership for their patience 
in this issue. I want to thank the Speaker and the minority leader; the 
leader of the Senate, Senator Lott; for working hard to make sure this 
bill came to fruition.
    I also want to thank Chairman Don Young and John Mica and Jim 
Oberstar who have joined us today from the House. I want to thank you 
for your hard work. And I want to thank Members of the United States 
Senate: Chairman Hollings and John McCain and Kay Bailey Hutchison for 
their hard work.
    I appreciate so very much the Secretary of Transportation and his 
steadiness and his ability to bring confidence to the process. I picked 
a good man in Norm Mineta, who is rising to the occasion.
    I also want to thank his deputy, Michael Jackson, for his hard work. 
As well, I appreciate Jane Garvey joining us up here today. I see other 
Members of Congress who are here. Thank you all for coming. I appreciate 
you doing the right thing for America.
    I also want to thank the pilots and flight attendants and the people 
of the airline industry who have joined us today. I want to thank you 
for your courage in the face of terror. I want to thank you for 
inspiring confidence amongst the American people.
    The broad support for this bill shows that our country is united in 
this crisis. We have our political differences, but we're united to 
defend our country. And we're united to protect our people. For our 
airways, there is one supreme priority: security.
    Since September the 11th, the Federal Government has taken action to 
raise safety standards. We've made funds available to the aviation 
industry to fortify cockpits. More Federal air marshals now ride on our 
airplanes. The Department of Transportation instituted a zero-tolerance 
crackdown on security breaches.
    Our National Guard protects us in our airports. And I want to thank 
the National Guards men and women who will be working the holiday 
season. I want to thank them for being away from their families, thank 
them for providing more security for people who travel.
    I appreciate the work the airlines have done with the Federal 
Aviation Administration. The airlines have started intense nighttime 
security sweeps of aircraft. They've tightened background checks for 
employees and implemented nondiscriminatory government-approved 
criterion for identifying passengers who require additional security.
    Now, we take the next important step. For the first time, airport 
security will become a direct Federal responsibility overseen by a new 
Under Secretary of Transportation for Security. Additional funds will be 
provided for Federal air marshals, and a new team of Federal security 
managers, supervisors, law enforcement officers, and screeners will 
ensure all passengers and carry-on bags are inspected thoroughly and 
effectively. The new security force will be well trained, made up of 
U.S. citizens. And if any of its members do not perform, the new Under 
Secretary will have full authority to discipline or remove them.

[[Page 1688]]

    At the same time, we will adopt strict new requirements to screen 
checked baggage, to tighten security in all other areas of airports, and 
to provide greater security for travelers by bus and by train. This bill 
sets a one-year deadline for the transition to the new system. It gives 
my administration the flexibility we need to make that transition work.
    Ultimately, this bill offers local authorities the option to bring 
in outside experts--a method that's worked well in Israel and Western 
Europe--provided those outside experts can meet our rigorous new safety 
standards and requirements.
    Security comes first. The Federal Government will set high 
standards, and we will enforce them. These have been difficult days for 
Americans who fly and for American aviation. A proud industry has been 
hit hard. But this Nation has seen the dedication and spirit of our 
pilots and flightcrews and the hundreds of thousands of hard-working 
people who keep America flying. We know they will endure. I'm confident 
this industry will grow and prosper.
    The holidays will soon be here. Even after the last few months, we 
have much to be thankful for. We have a great country. We're a great 
people. We have our faith, our families, and our friends. And, thanks to 
this bill, we have a new commitment to security in the air. And that's 
good news, as Americans travel to celebrate this season with their loved 
ones.
    It is now my honor to sign this important piece of legislation.

Note: The President spoke at 10:53 a.m. in the lobby of Terminal A at 
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. S. 1447, approved November 
19, was assigned Public Law No. 107-71.