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| Wilson Concerned about Ports Plan |
February 21, 2006 |
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Letter to Homeland Security Chairman Outlines Congresswoman’s Security Questions about Proposal
Albuquerque, NM – Congresswoman Heather Wilson today released the text of a letter she sent to Rep. Peter King, chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, expressing her concerns about a proposed plan to allow a company based in the United Arab Emirates to manage American ports.
Letter text below:
Honorable Peter King
Chairman
House Homeland Security Committee
403 CHOB
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Chairman King,
I write to request that the House Committee on Homeland Security hold hearings on the Treasury Department`s decision to permit Dubai Ports World, a company owned and controlled by the government of Dubai, United Arab Emirates, to assume management of six of the United States` most important ports in New York, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Miami, Baltimore and New Orleans.
As noted in the 9/11 Commission Report, "While commercial aviation remains a possible target, terrorists may turn their attention to other modes. Opportunities to do harm are as great, or greater, in maritime and surface transportation." I am greatly concerned that the Treasury Department`s decision to allow a company owned by the United Arab Emirates to assume management of important United States` ports fails to fully appreciate the fact that our maritime transportation system remains vulnerable and could be used by terrorists to smuggle personnel, weapons of mass destruction, or other dangerous materials into the United States.
Since 9/11, Congress has passed three major pieces of port security legislation. On November 14, 2002, Congress passed the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002 and the President signed it into law on November 25, 2002. The Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2004 was signed into law by the President on August 9, 2004. On December 17, 2004, the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 was signed into law by the President. This act implements the transportation security-related recommendations of the 9/11 Commission with respect to maritime transportation.
I write to request that the House Committee on Homeland Security hold hearings on this matter to investigate whether the Department of Treasury fully considered the security ramifications of this proposed action, whether this action is consistent with the letter and spirit of recent port security legislation passed by Congress, and whether Congress should take action to reverse the Treasury department`s decision on this matter.
Thank you in advance for considering my input on this important matter.
Sincerely,
Heather Wilson
Member of Congress
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