September 11, 2001, was a day America will never forget. We have all seen the tragic images of commercial airliners crashing into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. These terrorists, while aiming for symbols of our financial strength and military might, succeeded in targeting our sense of security. We long believed that our country was immune to such acts of violence. We now see that, with the ever widening gaps in our security systems, our nation is no longer secure. And while we may never know exactly how the terrorists were able to board the planes, we must nonetheless implement new security measures to ward off future threats.

First and foremost, we must take a critical look at our baggage screening process. The turnover rate and lack of training for screening personnel is alarming. Although the turnover rate for airport security personnel in Honolulu is 30 to 40 percent compared to 400 percent nationally and the employees there are well trained and tested repeatedly every day, Hawaii cannot afford to feel immune.

For example, International Total Services, the company contracted to manage airline security at the Honolulu International Airport and at more than 100 other airports in 34 states, tested the effectiveness of the security checkpoints in which fake hand grenades were taped to wheelchairs. Sadly, in seven out of nine trials, the wheelchairs with the fake grenades passed through undetected. In another incident, just four days after the terrorist attacks, a person without a ticket was discovered beyond the security checkpoint at the airport in violation of FAA rules.

Although Honolulu's airport prides itself on its training and low turnover rate of security personnel, more must be done to increase weapon detection. This is especially true for a state like Hawaii which is so reliant on air transportation. Steps must be taken to ensure that proper security measures are in place for large commercial airlines, small passenger planes, charter planes and cargo planes alike.

As we review the passenger and baggage screening process, we must also consider whether we should invest in technologies such as high-resolution X-ray, cargo baggage imaging systems, or personal identification measures. However, as Congress pushes forward with much needed security measures in the next few weeks, we must be mindful not to erode our civil liberties. If through fear we become the military state of our enemies and cease to protect the freedom we so cherish, the terrorists would have accomplished their mission. They would have destroyed the very essence of America.

I wish to express my sincere gratitude to the Chairman for holding today's important hearing. I look forward to hearing from our witnesses on how we can restore America's feeling of security in air travel.