Gerardo Hernandez Airport Security Act of 2015

Floor Speech

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Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

I rise in strong support of the Senate amendment to H.R. 720, the Gerardo Hernandez Airport Security Act of 2015, a bill that I am pleased to cosponsor.

The November 2013 shooting at the Los Angeles International Airport resulted in the death of Transportation Security Officer Gerardo Hernandez. This terrible incident brought into focus the heroism of those who serve on the front lines of aviation security--Transportation Security officers. Unarmed and exposed, Transportation Security officers perform the often thankless task of screening 1.8 million passengers per day, even though they have limited workplace protections and are charged with great responsibility.

In March of 2014, I traveled with my committee's Subcommittee on Transportation Security to conduct a site visit and oversight hearing at Los Angeles International Airport to explore what lessons could be learned from the tragic events of the shooting. Through this valuable oversight work, we learned that there was much to be done to address gaps and vulnerabilities within airports. We found that vital equipment, such as panic buttons at the checkpoints, were not in working order. We also found that there were other factors that could be bolstered to aid during active shooter situations, such as interoperable communications, so that every emergency responder would have access to realtime information.

The legislation under consideration today is the product of a bipartisan effort to remedy many of the deficiencies identified following the shooting.

Before yielding back, I would like to once again give my condolences to the family of Officer Hernandez and to remind Members that, under current law, TSO's families do not receive death benefits.

Currently, Transportation Security officers do not meet the definition for a public safety officer; and as a result, the families of TSOs who are killed in the line of duty, such as the Hernandez family, are not entitled to funds from the Public Safety Officers' Benefits Programs.

Last Congress, the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Brownley) introduced legislation that would grant Transportation Security officers the benefits of other law enforcement officers that are killed in the line of duty; and she plans to reintroduce that legislation, the Honoring Our Fallen TSA Officers Act, today.

I hope my colleagues will join me in supporting this forthcoming legislation so that the families of the men and women on the front lines of protecting our aviation sector are properly compensated if tragedy strikes. Mr. Speaker, I urge support for the Senate amendment to H.R. 720.

I reserve the balance of my time.

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Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, in closing, I would like to thank Subcommittee Chairman Katko and Ranking Member Rice for their efforts on this legislation.

Through our votes today, we are honoring the life of Officer Hernandez and ensuring that Transportation Security officers, airport workers, and members of the flying public are more safe and secure.

With that, Mr. Speaker, I once again urge my colleagues to support the Senate amendment to this bill as well as the Honoring Our Fallen TSA Officers Act.

I yield back the balance of my time.

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