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President Signs Murray's Port Security Bill Into Law

Date: Oct. 13, 2006
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Transportation


President Signs Murray's Port Security Bill into Law
Murray's 5 year effort results in new law that will protect ports, secure cargo, and safeguard American lives and the U.S. economy

President Bush today signed into law legislation authored by U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-Wash.) that will dramatically improve the security of America's ports and cargo container system.

Murray flew back to Washington D.C. to attend the signing ceremony at the White House.

"Today marks the beginning of a new approach to the way this country protects its ports, its economy, and its people." said Senator Murray. "September 11th taught us all about our country's many vulnerabilities, and in the days following the attack my effort to safeguard our nation's ports began. After five long years of work, today's signing represents a tremendous victory in the effort to bring real security to the American people. "

The bipartisan GreenLane bill, which Murray introduced with Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) -

* raises security standards for all cargo entering the U.S.,

* creates a GreenLane to track and monitor cargo,

* creates a system to resume trade after an incident,

* and funds port security grants.

For Washington state, the bill will provide new security grants for Washington's ports, a new regional coordination center, new radiation detection equipment at the Port of Tacoma, new Customs personnel for Seattle/Tacoma, and a new system to keep Washington's trade-dependent economy moving.

"Washington state is a real winner today because we are securing our many ports and protecting our trade dependent economy," said Senator Murray. "Today's legislation will effectively push out the nation's security borders so we can screen cargo before it ever reaches our state's shores."

Today's signing marks the culmination of a five-year effort by Senator Murray to implement cargo security measures at our nation's ports. Beginning after the attacks of September 11th with Murray's Operation Safe Commerce program to enhance port, cargo and supply chain security, Murray had been steadfast in her dedication to port security.

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http://murray.senate.gov/news.cfm?id=264656

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