For Release: Thursday, December 8, 2005
Contact: David Gillies: 202-225-5661

COSTELLO STATEMENT ON AIR MARSHAL SHOOTING IN MIAMI

Washington - U.S. Congressman Jerry Costello (D-IL) today released the following statement on the shooting of an airline passenger in Miami yesterday by a federal air marshal.  Costello, the ranking Democrat on the House Aviation Subcommittee, is a former police officer and recently toured the air marshal training facility:

"Anytime you have the loss of life it is in an unfortunate outcome, but by all evidence the air marshals in this case reacted appropriately.  Air marshals have difficult jobs which require instant decisions based on thorough training.  The security system worked, and this should reassure air passengers."

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