 |
News Release
|
|
|
|
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 that John W. Thompson, CEO of Symantec Corporation, will serve
as the Chair for the Silicon Valley Blue Ribbon Task Force on Aviation Security
and Technology. The task force
will be comprised of up to 20 technology, security, business, and aviation
experts from Silicon Valley to identify and evaluate technology-driven solutions
to improve the security and efficiency of national and local aviation.
“John
W. Thompson’s expertise and ability make him an ideal choice to head this Task
Force. He rightly understands that true aviation security means protecting not
only airplanes and people, but networks and data as well,” said
Honda. “Throughout our history, the public sector and private enterprise
have worked together to face our nation’s greatest challenges— the Blue
Ribbon Task Force hopes to build upon this important legacy.” “The
diverse and powerful resources of our area make Silicon Valley uniquely prepared
to harness technology to improve security and efficiency at our nation’s
airports,” said Thompson.
“It is an honor to be selected by Congressman Honda and Mayor Gonzales
to work in partnership with our business leaders and elected officials to
develop innovative solutions to enhance national aviation security.” Gonzales noted
that Thompson’s successful experience leading high technology enterprises and
in the field of Internet security will provide a valuable perspective and focus
for the task force. “We expect this group to identify where the tools and technology can
be developed to help us both improve security and improve air travel convenience
at our own airport and at others,” he said. “With John
Thompson’s outstanding leadership and technical knowledge, I am confident that
the task force will provide good results.” The balance of the
task force will be named in the coming weeks. Once the task force is
established, it will have 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’s recommendations will be submitted by Honda and Gonzales to the San
Jose City Council and the new head of the Transportation Security
Administration, Undersecretary of Transportation, John Magaw. 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, which is also part of freestanding legislation introduced by Honda and
Rep. Jim Matheson (D-UT) in October 2001, 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 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.
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. John W. Thompson is chairman of the board of directors and
chief executive officer of Symantec Corporation. Since joining Symantec in April
1999, Thompson led the transformation of the company from a consumer software
publisher to the global leader in Internet security solutions for individuals
and enterprises. Thompson joined Symantec after a 28-year career with the IBM Corporation where he held senior executive positions in sales and software development. Prior to joining Symantec, he was general manager of IBM Americas with responsibility for sales and support of IBM's technology products and services, Symantec is a world leader in Internet security technology. The Silicon Valley company provides a broad range of content and network security software and appliance solutions to individuals, enterprises and service providers. Headquartered in Cupertino, Calif., Symantec has worldwide operations in 38 countries. For more information, please visit www.symantec.com. .
|
