HARMAN LETTER ON LAX COMPUTER GLITCH

Requests complete briefing in Washington early next week

Washington, D.C. Congresswoman Jane Harman (D-Venice) released the following letter today in anticipation of Los Angeles City Council action regarding the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) computer glitch at LAX over the weekend:

August 14, 2007

The Honorable Bill Rosendahl

Los Angeles City Council – District 11

City Hall, Room 415

200 North Spring Street

Los Angeles, CA  90012

Dear Bill:

I appreciate your efforts and those of Janice Hahn to investigate the CBP computer meltdown at LAX on Saturday afternoon and again yesterday.

As Chair of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Intelligence, I have asked for a comprehensive briefing from CPB officials in Washington early next week, in conjunction with Rep. Loretta Sanchez’s Homeland Security Subcommittee on Border Security.

At a time of heightened risk, it is critical to screen visitors entering our country, but our systems must be fully functional and such glitches are completely unacceptable.  I am also aware that many US travelers were totally inconvenienced and in some cases travel plans were ruined.

I look forward to working with the City Council to assure this does not happen again.

                                                            Regards,

                                                            JANE HARMAN

###