Contact: Steve Hansen (Director of Communications) (202) 225-7749
Email: Steve.Hansen@mail.house.gov
Justin
Harclerode (Deputy Director of Communications) (202) 226-8767
Email: Justin.Harclerod@mail.house.gov
To: National Desk
November 13, 2002
“Arming Airline Pilots & Expanding Coast Guard’s
Anti-Terrorism Mission Will Dramatically Enhance Homeland Security”
- Transportation Committee Chairman Don
Young
Washington, D.C. - The following is U.S. Rep. Don Young’s (R-Alaska) statement regarding the House passage of the new Homeland Security Act tonight.
Young, the Chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, was the author of the House-passed aviation security bill, the port and maritime security legislation, and legislation designed to allow trained and qualified airline pilots to carry firearms to combat terrorist attacks.
“This Homeland Security legislation we passed tonight has been improved by the addition of my bill to arm airline pilots and to keep the Coast Guard’s important missions intact.
“By adding the new provision to allow trained and qualified pilots to have firearms to protect commercial jets from terrorist attacks we are taking a major step in strengthening aviation security.
“It’s been one year since we passed the aviation security bill. When fully implemented, the numerous provisions we created will indeed improve aviation security.
“But during the past several months, we’ve seen the need to expand aviation security to include arming trained and qualified pilots.
“On September 11th, 2001, eight unarmed pilots, hundreds of passengers, and thousands of innocent people were killed by terrorist hijackers. Today, armed F-16s are prepared to make sure that this never happens again.
“I strongly believe that under these new circumstances, that we must allow trained and qualified pilots to serve as the last line of defense against such a potential disaster. We are doing this in this new Homeland Security bill.
“In addition, we have reaffirmed our commitment to expanding the Coast Guard’s vital role in protecting our ports and coastlines while also protecting its core missions of search and rescue, drug interdiction, and fisheries enforcement.
“We’ve given the Coast Guard a great deal of work to do and they have always carried out their duties with distinction. This new legislation will allow the Coast Guard to continue its longstanding life-and-safety missions while also increasing its new anti-terrorism mission.”
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