WHEREAS, it has been seven months since the passage of the Aviation and Transportation Security Act which symbolized a complete change in the way the nation approaches and conducts security for our nation's air transportation system; and

WHEREAS, above all, The U.S. Conference of Mayors wants to assure the flying public that we are committed to ensuring the safety and security of airports; and

WHEREAS, within 36 hours of the September 11^th terrorists attacks, The U.S. Conference of Mayors issued a call for the full federalization of all airport security screening; and

WHEREAS, The U.S. Conference of Mayors adopted A National Action Plan for Safety and Security In America's Cites during the 70^th Winter Meeting that increased aviation security by calling for:

• A fully federalized force at points of passenger, baggage and cargo inspections;
• Immediate funding to pay for increased airport security;
• Federal assistance and guarantees to ensure airport financial stability;
• Airline workforce protection and relief for affected businesses;
• Airside improvements;
• Imposed airspace restrictions and heightened security on all general aviation and charter flights throughout the U.S.;
• Resume full operations at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport
• Screening of 100 percent of checked luggage; and

WHEREAS, The U.S. Conference of Mayors wants to underscore our strong support for increased security requirements at our nation's airports; and

WHEREAS, passengers are accepting the new process and returning to airports with new confidence; and

WHEREAS, The Security Act set a series of tough deadlines that the Transportation Security Administration is attempting to meet; and

WHEREAS, more will have to be accomplished by the Transportation Security Administration and the nation's airports before the year end deadline; and

WHEREAS, The U.S. Conference of Mayors fully expects the Transportation Security Administration to have explosive detection systems in use at all commercial airports allowing it to screen every bag that goes on a passenger airplane by December 31, 2002; and

WHEREAS, under the aviation and security law, federal employees are to have replaced private security screeners at all 429 commercial airports by November 19, 2002,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that The U.S. Conference of Mayors fully expects Congress and the Transportation Security Administration to provide both direction and the means that will allow all airports to accomplish the daunting task of meeting the statutory deadlines that are supported by the U.S. Conference of Mayors; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, airlines are points of increasing aviation cargo, all cargo on commercial aircraft should be 100 percent inspected for explosives.