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WASHINGTON D.C. -- On Monday at the Port of Los Angeles/Long Beach, Rep. Jane Harman (D-Venice), member of the Homeland Security Committee, commemorated The SAFE Port Act becoming law. Harman was joined at the event by the bill’s co-author Rep. Dan Lungren, (R-Folsom). The bill was signed into law on October 13, 2006 after passing both the House and Senate by substantial margins.
“This bill is as good as it is because it was developed through a bipartisan approach. Dan and I drafted the bill together,” Harman said. “Still, we could have done better. We could have also addressed security in aviation, rail, and mass transit. We could have required the screening of 100% of containers bound to the United States for radiation. And I hope we’ll address these issues in the next Congress. But this bill is an important first step, and one I’m proud to “bring it home” to the Port of Los Angeles/Long Beach.”
The Act provides for increased security at our nation’s ports, including the authorization of nearly $400 million over six years for port security grants that will substantially benefit ports such as the Port of Los Angeles/Long Beach
“The port complex of LA and Long Beach is the largest container port in the country. Nearly 55,000 twenty-foot containers will be processed at the port complex today,” Harman continued. “Containers are being unloaded at this complex from large cargo ships by 4,000 dock workers who feel the threat of a terrorist attack everyday. They can take some comfort in knowing that many of the existing security gaps will be closed by this legislation. The SAFE Port Act codifies and authorizes maritime security programs that will give Customs and Border Protection and the US Coast Guard the tools they need to secure our ports. “
As part of the SAFE Port Act, the Container Security Initiative will ensure that high risk containers are inspected at their point of embarkation before reaching American shores. The Act also contains provisions specific to dock workers, including the introduction of biometric identification cards and increased training, both of which will enhance port worker security and help prevent threats from materializing at our nation’s ports.
Harman noted that “because of the SAFE Port Act, dock workers will carry biometric identification cards that control their access to the facility, verify their identities, and assure that they pose no threat to containers, cargo, or the community. Port officials will have the technology to scan containers for radiation before they are loaded on hundreds of trucks that fan out across Southern California highways, bound for large retailers, mom-and-pop stores, wholesalers across the country.”
Los Angeles Councilwoman Janice Hahn also attended SAFE Port Act celebration:
"For the people I represent, the people that live in San Pedro and Wilmington, as well as the men of women that work on our docks daily, each of the 14 million containers that enters or leaves our port complex represents a real risk; which is why we are so pleased that this bill will award funding based on risk,” said Los Angeles Councilwoman Janice Hahn, who represents the Port of Los Angeles. “Congresswoman Harman understands the devastating economic and human effects that an attack on our port could have. She has been pushing for years for real port security funding and we are all relieved that this law has been approved by Congress and signed by the President.”
"As the nation's number one container port, the SAFE Port Act is critical to our ongoing security efforts," Chief of Los Angeles Port Police Ronald Boyd added.
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