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Rep. Bilirakis Scores Legislative Victories in 9/11 Security Bill |
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July 27, 2007
WASHINGTON
-- Today,
the U.S. House of Representatives approved the conference report for H.R. 1, a
package of homeland security measures, some of which were recommendations of the
9/11 Commission.
The bill, which already passed the Senate, includes two important measures
proposed by Florida Congressman and House Homeland Security Committee Member
Gus Bilirakis (R-Palm
Harbor). These two
provisions, which address public transportation and rail security, signifies
Rep. Bilirakis's first freshman congressional legislative accomplishments to
become law. President Bush is expected to sign the legislation.
"I am pleased that the conference report includes two proposals I made that were
originally included in the rail and public transportation security bill the
House passed earlier this year," Bilirakis said. "Rail security and safety of
our public transportation systems in America
need serious attention and these provisions, along with the others included in
this bill, will help make America
safer."
The first provision will require those who are coordinating the development and
implementation of rail security plans to be American citizens. The second
requires the physical testing of rail tank cars used to carry hazardous
materials in order to make them more resistant to a terror attack.
Congressman Bilirakis also hailed the addition in the Conference Report of a
Republican provision that protects from lawsuits those who in good faith report
suspected terrorist activity. Not included in the original House-passed
version of H.R. 1, Bilirakis said of the provision, "It is very good that this
common-sense proposal to provide civil immunity to Good Samaritans who report
suspicious activity is now included in this measure."
Among its many provisions, H.R. 1 would also provide $4 billion over four years
for rail and public transportation security, change the formula for
distributing federal security grants towards a more risk-based model, establish
a new interoperability grant program to improve communication between local,
state and federal officials, and mandate 100 percent screening of container
cargo entering the U.S. by 2012.
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