Transportation Secretary Awards $92.3M in Grants
U.S. Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Mineta, marking a significant milestone in the U.S. Department of Transportation's (DOT) ongoing port security efforts, today announced the award of $92.3 million in grants to 51 ports located throughout the nation to enhance the security of ports and other facilities. "Protecting seaports and port facilities against the threat of terrorism is imperative," said Secretary Mineta. At a press conference near New York City's Staten Island Ferry, the Secretary was joined by New York City Police Commissioner Ray Kelly and Port Authority of New York & New Jersey Vice Chairman Charles Gargano, as well as a host of federal representatives including Rep. Bill Young (FL), U.S. Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Thomas Collins and U.S.
Congress Investigates NY Port Security
NY1 reported that NY Police Commissioner Ray Kelly is set to speak before a Congressional committee, looking at port security. Some of the topics to be discussed include information sharing between city, state and federal authorities and what can be done to improve security standards. Representatives from the U.S. Coast Guard will also speak. It was also reported that local senators are planning to introduce legislation to increase federal funding for transit security. Senators Charles Schumer and Bob Menendez from New Jersey are asking for an extra $300 million for 2006. The legislation will also call for a change in the way grants are given out, making big cities like New York a higher priority in getting security funding. Source: NY1
