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News Release
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For
Immediate Release: Contact:
Ernest Baynard, (202) 225-2631 (Honda)
San
Jose, CA—
U.S. Congressman Mike Honda (D-San Jose) and San Jose Mayor Ron Gonzales
announced today the members of the Silicon Valley Blue Ribbon Task Force on
Aviation Security and Technology. The task force
includes 19 technology, security, business, and aviation experts from Silicon
Valley [roster
attached]. Their
goal is to identify and evaluate technology-driven solutions that will improve
the security and efficiency of national and local aviation.
John W. Thompson, CEO of Symantec Corporation, will serve as the chair of
the blue ribbon group. “These
business, technology, and aviation leaders represent the unique capabilities of
Silicon Valley,”
said Congressman Honda. “I am confident
they will come back quickly with innovative and practical recommendations that
will help make our nation’s aviation system safer and easier to use.” “Our
goal is to achieve greater safety and shorter lines through innovation,”
said Mayor Gonzales. “The expertise and
commitment of San Jose and Silicon Valley will again lead the way for creative
and effective technology solutions to help protect the nation’s airports and
air travelers.” “I’m
looking forward to working with an excellent group that has been assembled by
Congressman Honda and Mayor Gonzales to serve our region and our nation,”
said John W. Thompson. “This
is a wonderful opportunity for businesspeople to work in partnership with local
and federal government toward a common goal that benefits the public and our
economy.” The task force has
100 days to develop recommendations regarding existing and emerging technologies
that can upgrade systems for passenger identification, baggage screening,
airfield and cockpit security, explosive detection and other security concerns.
The
panel will hold at least one public hearing to provide an opportunity for public
participation and to listen to additional suggestions that could be used for
improving aviation security. The
panel is scheduled to complete its work in June so that Honda and Gonzales can
submit its findings and recommendations to the San Jose City Council and
Undersecretary of Transportation John Magaw, the new head of the federal
Transportation Security Administration. Members of the
task force were recommended to Honda and Gonzales by Silicon Valley business
associations including the Information Technology Association of America,
Semiconductor Industry Association, Business Software Alliance, Silicon Valley
Manufacturing Group, and San Jose Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce. The events of
September 11 focused the nation on the need for greater security for aviation
infrastructure and systems. Congress
and the FAA have enacted broad new regulations for air travel safety, and all
U.S. airports are required to implement an array of new security measures by
specific dates over the next three years. To
ensure uniform and nationwide implementation of these new measures, the
responsibility for airport security operations has been placed under the
jurisdiction of the new Transportation Security Administration in the U.S.
Department of Transportation. The new federal
aviation security law includes a key provision authored by Honda that will
launch a nationwide pilot program in twenty or more U.S. airports to test new
and emerging security technologies. The
measure could dramatically improve airport security by promoting the development
and use of cutting-edge technologies, such as biometric authentication, global
positioning system applications, enhanced communication systems and database
integration protocols. The airport pilot
program is a product of numerous meetings and demonstrations that Honda convened
with Mayor Gonzales, top Silicon Valley executives, the FAA, FBI, Bay Area
Airport officials and other Members of Congress. The FAA will select the 20
pilot sites by this summer. Congressman Honda is a member of the House Transportation Committee’s Aviation Subcommittee and also serves as a Vice Chair of the Democratic Homeland Security Task Force in the U.S. House of Representatives. Silicon
Valley Blue Ribbon Task Force on
ITAA: Information
Technology Association of America BSA:
Business Software Alliance AEA:
American Electronics Association SIA: Semiconductor
Industry Association
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