For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
October 27, 2001
Radio Address of the President to the Nation
Listen to the President's Remarks
THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. I'm pleased to
report that our nation continues to take important steps in the war
against terrorism. Next week, the House of Representatives
will be voting on an airline security bill that Congressman Don Young
has introduced.
It was modeled after proposals I made last month. Under
the Young bill, the federal government will assume complete control of
airport security and screening. It also greatly expands the
Federal Air Marshal program, and provides substantial new funding for
secure cockpits and other security measures aboard airplanes.
There's a critical difference between the Young bill and the bill
the Senate passed a few weeks ago. My approach gives the
government the flexibility it needs to assemble a skilled and
disciplined screening work force.
The Senate bill mandates that all passenger and baggage screeners
be federal workers in all circumstances. While that bill is
well-intended, the best approach will be one that provides
flexibility. The Young bill allows the use of private
contractors operating under tough federal standards on background
checks with federal law enforcement at every gate to promote better
screening services, and ensure that security managers can move
aggressively to discipline or fire employees who fail to live up to the
rigorous new standards.
The Young bill is the quickest, most effective way to increase
aviation security. And time is of the essence. I
urge Congress to move quickly on this vital legislation, as it did this
week in passing new legislation to fight terrorism.
The bill I signed yesterday gives intelligence and law enforcement
officials additional tools they need to hunt and capture and punish
terrorists. Our enemies operate by highly sophisticated
methods and technologies, using the latest means of communication and
the new weapon of bioterrorism.
When earlier laws were written, some of these methods did not even
exist. The new law recognizes the realities and dangers
posed by the modern terrorist. It will help us to prosecute
terrorist organizations -- and also to detect them before they strike.
Since 11th of September, the men and women of our intelligence and
law enforcement agencies have been relentless in their
work. In return for their exceptional service, these public
servants deserve our full support, and every means of help that we can
provide. Intelligence operations and criminal investigations
have often had to operate on separate tracks. The new law
will make it easier for all agencies to share vital information about
terrorist activity.
Surveillance of communications is another essential method of law
enforcement. But for a long time, we have been working under
laws written in the era of rotary telephones. Under the new
law, officials may conduct court-ordered surveillance of all modern
forms of communication used by terrorists.
In recent years, some investigations have been hindered by limits
on the reach of federal search warrants. Officials had to
get a new warrant for each new district and investigation covered, even
when involving the same suspect. As of now, warrants are
valid across districts and across state lines.
And, finally, the new legislation greatly enhances the penalties
that will fall on terrorists or anyone who helps
them. Federal law now provides harsh penalties for
possession of biological weapons. It is now easier to seize
the assets of groups or individuals involved in terrorism. Government
has greater ability to deport known terrorists and their
supporters. And the statute of limitations on terrorist acts
have been lengthened, along with prison sentences, for terrorist
crimes.
These measures were enacted with broad support in both
parties. They reflect a firm resolve to uphold and respect
the civil liberties guaranteed by the Constitution, while dealing
swiftly and severely with terrorists.
Now comes the duty of carrying them out. And I can
assure all Americans that these important new statutes will be enforced
to the full.
Thank you for listening.
END
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