Jay Rockefeller: “I rise before you today to support the Aviation Security Bill introduced by Senator Hollings and me. As the nation…”

“I rise before you today to support the Aviation Security Bill introduced by Senator Hollings and me. As the nation strives to recover from the tragic events of September 11, 2001, one of the vital steps we must take to protect our economy and regain our sense of national security is to restore full function and confidence to our nation's air transport system. We are on the verge of passing a large financial package to aid in relieving the financial pressures placed on our airlines as the result of these heinous attacks. This is a crucial first step in restoring consumer confidence in our airlines, both to the passengers who rely on their services and to the economy. While the financial package is of critical importance, I believe the single most crucial element in the airlines' recovery is restoring confidence in air travel by making it as safe and secure as is practical. While the financial package will help the airlines recover from the short-term losses associated with the September 11th disasters and subsequent shutdown, only the public's return to air travel can guarantee their long-term success. Travelers must be confident that the United States has the most advanced, secure aviation system in the world. The Aviation Security Bill before us today is an important first step in restoring such confidence to those in the sky and those on the ground. I am proud to stand with Senator Hollings to introduce this momentous legislation.”