Brooklyn, New York- Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, Chair of the House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Transportation Security and Infrastructure Protection, released the following statement at a hearing, at the Brooklyn Public Library, Grand Army Plaza Branch, in New York City entitled “Protecting the Mass Transit Critical Infrastructure in New York City and in the Nation:”

“As we all know, securing mass transit in this country is critical to ensuring that we protect the American public from terrorists.  Each weekday, 11.3 million passengers in 35 metropolitan areas and 22 states use commuter rail.  It is imperative that we in Congress continue to give those on the frontlines the tools they need to continue to protect the traveling public.

“Until recently, the Department of Homeland Security has focused almost exclusively on aviation security.  However, we in Congress changed that focus with the enactment of the 9/11 legislation last August.  The law now mandates that TSA put more focus on surface transportation security.  The requirements of the 9/11 legislation include expanded transportation grant criteria, protocols for frontline employee training, authorization for Visible Intermodal Prevention and Response Teams, increases in surface transportation security inspectors, and many other improvements that will help to make our nation’s mass transit systems safer.

 “Today, in New York City, home to the largest mass transit system in America, we are here to discuss how we can continue to make mass transit safe for Americans.  New York has been on the forefront of securing mass transit for many years.  As the site of ground zero, the State of New York, the NYPD, Amtrak, Metropolitan Transit Authority, the Port Authority, and all of the frontline workers who work the subways, the trains, buses, bridges and tunnels are all keenly aware of how important their jobs are, and what must continue to be done.  We in Congress are your partners in ensuring that you have the tools needed to secure surface modes of transportation.  We have already accomplished much in the passage of the 9/11 bill, but surely our work continues.  The dialogue we have today gives those of us in Congress the opportunity to hear directly from those who work these issues on the ground, so that we can continue to be a resource for you.  I would like to thank Commissioner Kelly and Deputy Secretary Balboni for sharing their perspectives with us today.

 “The lessons we learn during this process can help secure transportation across the nation.  In my district, in Houston TX, we have the METRO system that transports thousands of people around the downtown Houston area everyday.  While that system is different in many ways from what exists here in New York, there are common threads that we can share to make sure all mass transit systems have access to the most effective and innovative methods of security.  I am pleased that Chief Thomas Lambert is here today to share with us his perspective.

 “However, as we focus on security operations, methods, and technology- we should not forget the frontline workers who are the eyes and ears of any security operation.  We must continue to ensure that they get the training and worker protections they need to do their jobs effectively.  I am pleased that James Little of TWU is here to share that perspective with us.

 “History has shown us that terrorists view rail and public transportation systems as potential targets.  London, Madrid, Mumbai- have fallen victim to attacks on rail and mass transit.  These attacks have killed and maimed thousands. Even more devastation could be caused by a successful attack on our mass transit system.  Further, this threat is always present.  In January of this year, a plot was thwarted to attack the Barcelona Public Transit system.  This attempted attack is yet another reminder that we must remain vigilant. 

 “While we continue to make strides in securing our nation, we must not neglect any part of our transportation infrastructure, which includes our rail and mass transit systems.  As we closely examine the New York City’s mass transit rail system, my goal is to extract important finds and lessons learned and create ways to apply them across the nation to strengthen rail security.”

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