Date: 2015-09-16
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I rise in strong support of H.R. 720. The Gerardo Hernandez Airport Security Act of 2015. which improves intergovernmental planning and communication during security incidents at domestic airports. As a former chair and ranking member of the Homeland Security Committee Transportation Security Subcommittee. I understand how important this bill will be in enhancing safety and protection in the air transit industry. not just for our citizens but for our Transportation Security Officers working in the line of duty. This legislation. which requires the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to devote more resources for planning and communication during and in case of threats or emergencies. is prompted by the tragic death of Gerardo I. Hernandez. a Transportation Security Officer who was killed in the line of duty at Los Angeles International Airport on November 1. 2013. In a senseless act of violence. the love and care TSA Officer Gerardo Ismael Hernandez gave to his wife. Ana Machuca. his 14yearold son and 12yearold daughter. and the community he served. ended entirely too soon. Mr. Speaker. Gerardo Hernandez was what we want in an American. he is in spirit and deed the type of person we want in our Transportation Security Officers (TSOs). At just 39 years old. Gerardo Hernandez was the first TSA officer to lose his life in the line of duty in the 12year history of the agency. He died from several gunshot wounds inflicted by an assailant while on duty at the Los Angeles International Airport. Gerardo Hernandez was among those thousands of TSA employees carrying out their mission to keep the airways safe for traveling citizens. and their work across the nation cannot be understated. On average. TSA officers screen 1.7 million air passengers at more than 450 airports across the nation. which averaged over 637.5 million passengers in 2012. In 2014. the TSA screened more than 653 million passengers. or nearly 1.8 million persons per day. The Bush International and the William P. Hobby Airports that serve the Houston metropolitan area are essential hubs for domestic and international air travel for Houston and the region: Nearly 40 million passengers traveled through Bush International Airport (IAH) and an additional 10 million traveled through William P. Hobby (HOU). More than 650 daily departures occur at IAH. IAH is the 11th busiest airport in the U.S. for total passenger traffic. IAH has 12 allcargo airlines handling more than 419.205 metric tons of cargo in 2012. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates the implementation of H.R. 720 would cost about $2.5 million in 2015. Of the $2.5 million. an estimated $1.5 million would serve to provide additional technical assistance to airports. and the remaining $1 million would be used to evaluate the interoperability of communication systems used by emergency response teams. Mr. Speaker. this month marked the 14th anniversary of the tragedy of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. We will never forget how that day changed our lives. and the lives of every American generation to follow. Security measures in airports across the country have been enhanced dramatically. and the resulting inconvenience is a small price to pay for the protective measures needed to keep the travelling public safe. It is people like Gerardo Hernandez who do their best to make the necessary screening as least intrusive and burdensome as possible. consistent with the mission of ensuring the security of all members of the flying public. TSA officers willingly risk their lives to make sure the job gets done. and for that we owe these men and women a debt of gratitude. In honor of Gerardo Hernandezs contribution to his country. I strongly support this bill and urge all my colleagues to join me in voting for its passage.