|
Honda, Gonzales Name Members of
Airport Security Technology Task Force
San Jose, CA- U.S. Congressman Mike Honda (D-San Jose) and San Jose Mayor Ron
Gonzales announced today the members of the Silicon Valley Blue Ribbon
Task Force on Aviation Security and Technology.
The task force includes 19 technology, security, business, and aviation
experts from Silicon Valley [roster attached]. Their goal is to identify
and evaluate technology-driven solutions that will improve the security
and efficiency of national and local aviation. John W. Thompson, CEO of
Symantec Corporation, will serve as the chair of the blue ribbon group.
"These business, technology, and aviation leaders represent the
unique capabilities of Silicon Valley," said Congressman Honda. "I
am confident they will come back quickly with innovative and practical
recommendations that will help make our nation's aviation system safer
and easier to use."
"Our goal is to achieve greater safety and shorter lines through
innovation," said Mayor Gonzales. "The expertise and commitment
of San Jose and Silicon Valley will again lead the way for creative and
effective technology solutions to help protect the nation's airports and
air travelers."
"I'm looking forward to working with an excellent group that has
been assembled by Congressman Honda and Mayor Gonzales to serve our region
and our nation," said John W. Thompson. "This is a wonderful
opportunity for businesspeople to work in partnership with local and federal
government toward a common goal that benefits the public and our economy."
The task force has 100 days to develop recommendations regarding existing
and emerging technologies that can upgrade systems for passenger identification,
baggage screening, airfield and cockpit security, explosive detection
and other security concerns.
The panel will hold at least one public hearing to provide an opportunity
for public participation and to listen to additional suggestions that
could be used for improving aviation security. The panel is scheduled
to complete its work in June so that Honda and Gonzales can submit its
findings and recommendations to the San Jose City Council and Undersecretary
of Transportation John Magaw, the new head of the federal Transportation
Security Administration.
Members of the task force were recommended to Honda and Gonzales by Silicon
Valley business associations including the Information Technology Association
of America, Semiconductor Industry Association, Business Software Alliance,
Silicon Valley Manufacturing Group, and San Jose Silicon Valley Chamber
of Commerce.
The events of September 11 focused the nation on the need for greater
security for aviation infrastructure and systems. Congress and the FAA
have enacted broad new regulations for air travel safety, and all U.S.
airports are required to implement an array of new security measures by
specific dates over the next three years.
To ensure uniform and nationwide implementation of these new measures,
the responsibility for airport security operations has been placed under
the jurisdiction of the new Transportation Security Administration in
the U.S. Department of Transportation.
The new federal aviation security law includes a key provision authored
by Honda that will launch a nationwide pilot program in twenty or more
U.S. airports to test new and emerging security technologies. The measure
could dramatically improve airport security by promoting the development
and use of cutting-edge technologies, such as biometric authentication,
global positioning system applications, enhanced communication systems
and database integration protocols.
The airport pilot program is a product of numerous meetings and demonstrations
that Honda convened with Mayor Gonzales, top Silicon Valley executives,
the FAA, FBI, Bay Area Airport officials and other Members of Congress.
The FAA will select the 20 pilot sites by this summer.
Congressman Honda is a member of the House Transportation Committee's
Aviation Subcommittee and also serves as a Vice Chair of the Democratic
Homeland Security Task Force in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Silicon Valley Blue Ribbon Task Force on
Aviation Security and Technology
| Member |
Source of Nomination |
Affiliation |
Title |
| Mike Honda |
Honorary Chair |
U.S. House of Representatives |
Member of Congress |
| Ron Gonzales |
Honorary Chair |
City of San Jose |
Mayor |
| John W. Thompson |
Mike HondaRon Gonzales |
Symantec |
CEO, Chairman |
| Sam Araki |
Mike Honda |
Security Technology Ventures |
Chairman, Former CEO, Lockeed |
| Dan Ashby |
Mike Honda |
United Airlines/ALPA |
Pilot/Chair of California Airline Pilots Assoc. |
| Bill Crowell |
AEA |
Cylink Corp. |
CEO, President |
| Tino Cuellar |
Mike Honda |
Stanford University |
Professor, School of Law |
| Sandra England |
BSA |
Network Associates |
Exec. VP, Business Development & Research |
| Mike Fox, Sr. |
SJCoC |
M.E. Fox Distributing |
President |
| Dan Harris |
Ron Gonzales |
Southwest Airlines |
Director, Systems Projects for Ground Ops. |
| Beatrice Infantes |
AEA |
Aspect |
CEO |
| Bill Lansdowne |
Ron Gonzales |
City of San Jose |
Chief of Police |
| Dr. Sergio Magistri |
AEA |
InVision Technologies |
CEO, President |
| Bob McCashin |
AEA |
Identix Incorporated |
CEO, Chairman |
| Ko Nishimura |
SIA |
Solectron |
CEO, Chairman |
| Richard Palmer Jr. |
Ron Gonzales |
Cisco Systems |
VP, VSEC Business Unit |
| Krish Panu |
ITAA |
@ Road |
CEO |
| Larry Wansley |
Ron Gonzales |
American Airlines |
Managing Director for Corp. Security |
| Tom Weidemeyer |
John W. Thompson |
UPS |
COO-UPS, Pres.UPS Airlines |
| Peggy Weigle |
ITAA |
Sanctum |
CEO |
ITAA: Information Technology Association of America
BSA: Business Software Alliance
AEA: American Electronics Association
SIA: Semiconductor Industry Association
SJCoC: San Jose Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce
# # # # #
| 