REMARKS FOR
THE HONORABLE NORMAN Y. MINETA
SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION
TRANSPORTATION TRADES DEPARTMENT EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING
NEW ORLEANS, LA
(via audio from DC)
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2002
12:30 P.M.
Thank you, Sonny, for that great introduction. And thank you for including me today even though I couldn’t make it to New Orleans. Trust me, I would love to be there!
I suppose you heard about my recent hip replacement surgery. That just goes to show you that even the Secretary of Transportation can be immobilized sometimes.
The real reason I wanted to be involved in your meeting today is because we last spoke about a month after the September 11th terrorist attacks. I told you then that we, the federal government and specifically the Department of Transportation, were your partners in the War on Terrorism.
You are the country’s first line of defense on the domestic front of this war — and we are committed to giving you the tools you need to succeed.
Our goal is both to protect the security of our transportation system, and to protect the security of the Nation’s economy by keeping that transportation system running smoothly and effectively.
The impact of transportation on our economy and on employment has been at the forefront of all our minds in the wake of the September 11 attacks.
The first step we in the Bush Administration took was to work with Congress to pass a bill that earmarked $15 billion for the airline industry so they could pay their bills and stay in business.
That was an important first step to keep transportation workers working.
Next, we focused on strengthening airline security — both to protect the security of the system and to give Americans the assurances they need that the skies will be safe.
The Administration worked with the governors of all 50 states, our territories and the District of Columbia to immediately deploy National Guard troops to our airports.
We worked with Congress to pass legislation to expand federal oversight of airport security operations.
We worked with airlines to strengthen cockpit doors.
And, we worked with the private sector to use existing technologies and develop new ones for security purposes.
These steps made airline travel safe again, and are helping to return the aviation industry to economic health as passengers return to the skies.
As you know, the Department of Transportation took over the airport screening process last week, and I am proud to say that the process went very smoothly.
The public saw no disruptions to operations when they went to the airport last Sunday. However, the behind-the-scenes changes are immense.
Though we have kept virtually all of the same screening staff, make no mistake, they are now adhering to the federal government’s much stricter and consistent screening guidelines.
To oversee this program and other transportation security tasks, we created the Transportation Security Administration, or TSA, within DOT. In fact, when fully online, it will be the largest part of our department.
This new division is headed by the very capable John Magaw, a former director of the Secret Service, and a seasoned law enforcement professional.
Currently, TSA is focusing on aviation issues, particularly in light of the recent turnover of all of the screening staff. However, Under Secretary Magaw’s group is also looking at surface and maritime transportation issues.
As the TSA investigates the transportation security needs of this new era, they find new issues we have not had to face before. To address these issues, we have to make some tough decisions.
For example, we are exploring ways to design a system that provides protections similar to those found in the federal Whistleblower Protection Act, but which gives us the flexibility to also address the unique concerns that face personnel who work with highly sensitive security matters.
It is important that screeners feel free to make disclosures without fear of retaliation. We are working to find the answer, and we look forward to your input in the process.
You and your co-workers in the transportation industry have risen to the challenges handed to you by fate. The security-conscious days of post-September 11th were not what you signed on for when you started working in the transportation trades — but you have risen to those challenges without fail. And we commend you for that.
In order to help you to meet those challenges, we created the National Infrastructure Security Committee, or NISC, within DOT in late September to ensure an integrated response to security concerns across all modes of transportation.
With your help, this committee continues to assess our entire transportation network and identify any gaps between current and desired levels of protection for critical assets and systems.
As I said before, it is important that the public feels secure in using all the modes of transportation so these industries can remain the vital job creation engines that they are.
As the NISC Direct Action Groups for each mode looked into the various issues facing them, they discovered two areas of overlapping concern —the credentialing of transportation workers, and cargo container security.
They also discovered the need for the department to provide round-the-clock information to the transportation industry.
To follow up on these issues, we created two working groups on credentialing and container security. And we are in the process of establishing a Transportation Information Operation Center that will, in effect, become our communication link to the transportation industry.
It is important that we address these issues quickly, effectively, and publicly, so we can get back to business as usual — moving the American public and America’s goods in a safe, timely and cost-effective way.
So, what does this mean for the Transportation Trades Department and all of your members?
It means that we will do everything in our power to ensure the safety of you, our frontline transportation workers — and we need your continued partnership in that effort.
It also means that we will need to work together to make sure that all sectors of our transportation industry remain vital.
I know that another top priority for all of you is resolving the ongoing fiscal challenges at Amtrak. It is a top priority for me, as well.
Intercity passenger rail service is a critical link in our transportation network. We need to take action to restore it to long-term health and stability.
Amtrak's current financial difficulties call for an early reauthorization of Amtrak and formulation of a national rail passenger policy. Some ideas have already been put on the table, and we are examining all of them. We are looking forward to working with Congress, the industry, and all of you to develop a solution.
We are also working hard to heighten bus security. We will take the necessary steps to protect the passengers who travel on inter-city, and intra-city, buses each year, as well as the drivers who provide this essential service.
All of us in the Administration are committed to making sure that the nation’s transportation trade workers have a safe and vital workplace today and for a long time to come — it is important to your members individually, and equally important to the nation as a whole.
Sonny, let me thank you again for inviting me to speak today. My staff and I look forward to our continued partnership in making transportation safe for all Americans.
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