Political Quotes

“first, let me state my support for the amendment being offered concerning aviation security requirements to the substitute to S. 735, the terrorism prevention bill, offered by Senator Hatch. I know that Senator Hatch has worked hard to include an aviation safety issue in the bill, and I appreciate the chance to express my support for those efforts. On December 21, 1988, Pan Am flight 103 was blown up over Lockerbie, Scotland, killing 270 people. This terrorist act triggered a time consuming, all-out effort to find the people responsible. It also triggered legislation enacted in 1990, to improve security for international and domestic air travelers. Unfortunately, during negotiations over one particular provision, we were unable to agree with the Department of Transportation on ensuring that all international passengers traveling to and from the United States would have the same types of protection. As a result, section 105 of the Aviation Security Improvement Act of 1990, Public Law 101- 604, required the Administrator to develop a system of protection for U.S. carriers and a similar system for foreign carriers. In using the word ``similar,'' Congress did not intend that there would be enormous disparities in security programs between U.S. and foreign airlines serving the United States. The security protection sought was intended to be as close to the same for all passengers, regardless of who actually provided the service.”