Congressman Al Green Appointed to Joint House-Senate Conference Committee on 9/11 Bill

(Washington, DC)--Today, Congressman Al Green (TX-09), a member of the House Committee on Homeland Security joined colleagues from the House and Senate for a joint conference on the 9/11 bill (H.R.1/S.4), also known as the Improving America’s Security Act of 2007.  This conference seeks to reconcile legislation passed by the both Houses of Congress into one bill aimed at implementing the recommendations made by the 9/11 Commission.  During today’s conference debate ensued over an amendment proposed by the Chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security, Congressman Bennie Thompson.

Chairman Thompson’s amendment seeks to implement recommendations made by the 9/11 commission by enhancing port security.  More specifically this amendment would require 100 percent scanning of all cargo bound for US ports to be phased in over the next five years.  Congressman Al Green, having seen the efficacy of such measures in ports such as Puerto Cotes, Honduras came out in strong support for this amendment.  Congressman Al Green’s comments are below:

“Worldwide shipping networks are necessary for maintaining the international supply chain, and extend U.S. national security beyond our physical borders. By improving port security across the globe, we are better able to defend our homeland from terrorist threats.  While in Honduras, I was impressed with the Honduran government’s willingness to work towards bilateral cooperation on Homeland Security issues, including the technology in use to detect against nuclear threats, and the skill of Honduran operators in using nuclear detection equipment.  By scanning ALL containers prior to their departure to the United States, American ports are better protected against the threat of a nuclear attack at home.  We must put ‘will’ over ‘wait’ and take action now to enhance the security of our country.”