Lucas Pleased Arab Port Deal Nixed

LUCAS PLEASED ARAB PORT DEAL NIXED

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Third District Congressman Frank Lucas expressed his approval of the announcement today that the operation of U.S. ports under consideration for Arab control will now be operated by a U.S. entity:

"Putting our U.S. ports in foreign hands while we continue to wage a war on terror just didn't make sense. I'm pleased it appears we have brokered a resolution on this issue, and will keep the management of trade at our borders under U.S. control.

"I have received a tremendous response from my constituents on this issue, through phone calls, letters, and personal visits. They agree with me that U.S. ports should be under U.S. control. Their voices have been heard today.

"We have worked with the Bush Administration time and again since Sept. 11 to keep our homeland safe - from additional airport screening, to taking the fight to the terrorists in Afghanistan and Iraq, to creating the Department of Homeland Security - but on this issue the administration just didn't seem to see the importance of keeping our ports under U.S. control. I'm pleased we now have what appears to be a resolution on the table. I will continue to monitor this deal to make sure our American ports remain as safe as possible."

http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/ok03_lucas/portdealnixed.html