Jane Harman: “as the representative of the Port of Los Angeles, the nation's busiest container port with more than 5.183 million…”

“as the representative of the Port of Los Angeles, the nation's busiest container port with more than 5.183 million container shipments last year, I rise in strong support of H.R. 3983, the Maritime Transportation Antiterrorism Act. The attacks of September 11 underscored the vulnerability of our ports to potential acts of terrorism. The sheer volume of goods shipped in containers, their unsecure ports of origin, the volatility of many of the goods stored at ports, and the wide expanses which comprise our posts present terrorists with targets and conduits for terror and local officials and law enforcement with formidable challenges. Given this threat, I first want to say how impressed I was at the speed with which the maritime agencies of our federal, state and local governments responded following September 11. The women and men of the Coast Guard, Customs, INS, LA and San Pedro Police, the LA County Sheriff, Port Police, National Guard, reservists and auxiliary personnel, and other emergency responders demonstrated their coolness and professionalism in securing the Port of Los Angeles. They showed unprecedented coordination and courage and, on behalf of the community, I want to extend a ``thank you for a job well done''.”