SC: Sen. Fritz Hollings pushes for seaport "safety" (12/8/2001)

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Hollings pushes for port safety Friday, December 7, 2001BY STEVE PIACENTEOf The Post and Courier Staff WASHINGTON-Sen. Fritz Hollings, instrumental in the recent fight for safer airports, assumed the role of expert witness Thursday, telling a panel that seaport legislation is needed to fix "a gaping hole in our national security." "The destruction that can be accomplished through security holes at our seaports potentially exceeds any other mode of transportation," the Charleston Democrat told the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee. Hollings is angry at the sluggish pace with which lawmakers are tackling port safety and at the Bush administration for opposing legislation that would authorize major new spending. "They know the cost of everything and the value of nothing," he said. Legislation sponsored by Hollings and Sen. Bob Graham, D-Fla., would provide more than $4 billion to add more Coast Guard and Customs personnel, upgrade security infrastructure and buy new screening and detection equipment. The bill would also establish security committees at seaports to better coordinate the efforts of state, federal, local and private law enforcement agencies. Hollings also wants the nation's 361 sea and river ports to limit access, restrict firearms and conduct background checks for those who work in sensitive areas. His bill would require ships to electronically send cargo manifests to a port before entering and prohibit the unloading of improperly documented cargo. "We all know the damage that can be caused by one truck bomb," he said. "But one ship can carry thousands of truck-sized containers filled with hazardous materials." Noting that 68 nuclear power plants are located along U.S. waterways, Hollings said, "Making seaports secure is now an issue of national security." In a subsequent interview, Hollings said Congress would look "stupid and guilty" if a terrorist attack were launched through a U.S. port. Hollings also said he approves of measures - opposed by some _civil rights groups - that Attorney General John Ashcroft has taken to obtain information he says will help in the war on terrorism. "I didn't vote for him, but I've watched and we are into an emergency war-time situation with respect to the infiltration of the enemy within our own population," Hollings said. "We just don't know who's who." Hollings was also to meet privately with Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta to urge compliance with provisions in the airport security bill. Mineta has said publicly that the government will be unable to meet a 60-day deadline to federalize airport scanners and install new screening equipment. "We've got to change his attitude and get something done," Hollings said. "Mr. Mineta is not tough." Steve Piacente covers Washington. Contact him at 301-340-8646 or stevep7012@aol.com http://www.charleston.net/pub/news/world-national/hollings1207.htm