Bob Menendez: “the amendment before us labels a whole class of workers guilty until proven innocent. I rise to express my strong…”

“the amendment before us labels a whole class of workers guilty until proven innocent. I rise to express my strong opposition to this amendment. It automatically considers any worker at a port suspect, and it only targets port workers. Port employees are hard-working and honest people who have a strong commitment to doing their jobs and serving their nation in its efforts to eradicate illegal drug importation. This amendment does not account for those facts. Let me emphasize that I represent the largest port in the eastern seaboard. I understand the need to fight the entry of illegal drugs at our ports of entry. There's no doubt we need to continue in those efforts. The U.S. Customs Service with other government agencies does a valiant job in trying to seize narcotics at New Jersey's ports. They could not accomplish this without the assistance of the Port's workers. Here are some examples: in July 1998 under Operation Brass Ring the U.S. Customs Service seized 700 pounds of cocaine at Port Newark/Port Elizabeth, New Jersey; and in June 1998 the Customs Service seized 1,300 pounds of cocaine concealed in a shipment at Port Newark/Port Elizabeth. I cite these examples to demonstrate ongoing narcotics fighting efforts at the Port; efforts which the Port's workers aided. Port workers have their own initiatives to fight illegal drugs with programs like the Dock Workers Against Drugs initiative.”