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“Airport Baggage Screening: Meeting Goals and Field
Hearing Washington, D.C. - Chairman Dan Burton (R-IN) and Vice Chairman Bob Barr (R-GA) will conduct a field hearing in Atlanta, Georgia, on Wednesday, August 7, 2002, to evaluate the progress being made toward improving security against terrorist attacks at U.S. airports. Witnesses at Wednesday’s hearing will include the General Manager of Hartsfield International Airport and the Assistant Inspector General of the Department of Transportation. In November 2001, as part of the Aviation and Transportation Security Act, Congress enacted tough new standards for airport security. The law requires that all airports be outfitted with explosive-detection machines and sets a deadline of December 31, 2002, for screening all checked luggage. In the last month, serious questions have been raised about whether this ambitious deadline can be met. Based on these concerns, the House voted at the end of July to extend the December 31 deadline. The provision was contained in the Department of Homeland Security legislation, which now must be taken up by the Senate. In the interim, airlines will have other means by which to ensure baggage being placed on airplanes goes through a screening process. At the hearing, the Committee on Government Reform will question local and Federal officials about the feasibility of meeting the December 31 deadline and review other measures being taken to improve airport security. Said Burton, “We have made great strides in airport security since September 11th, but there is much heavy lifting to be done. We must ensure that the process works and that all baggage being placed on airplanes is examined to guarantee the safety of the flying public. We need to have input from local airport officials to be sure we’re getting the job done right, and that’s why we’re holding this hearing.” Said Barr, "Security at our nation's airports has been, and will continue to be, a top priority for the Congress. We are working hand-in-hand with local airport officials to make sure needed security measures are being implemented consistently, effectively and expeditiously. In particular, I'm pleased those who live and travel in the metro Altanta area will be able to hear directly how security is improving at Hartsfield airport." The Committee will hear testimony from the following witnesses: - Mr. Benjamin DeCosta, General Manager of Atlanta’s Hartsfield International Airport - Ms. Alexis Stefani, Assistant Inspector General for Auditing, Department of Transportation Additional witnesses will be announced. |
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