House resolution includes school transportation among security measures

WASHINGTON, D.C. — On June 18, the House of Representatives passed a resolution (1150) urging the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to enhance security against terrorist attacks and other threats to transportation systems in accordance with the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007.

As originally drafted, the resolution addressed only rail and transit lines, but Congressman Bob Etheridge (D-N.C.) added the language specific to school transportation while the resolution was under consideration by the Homeland Security Committee, according to Derek Graham, president of the National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services.

The resolution states: “Whereas each weekday, more than 25 million children depend on our nation’s school transportation system, in addition to mass transit systems, to get to and from school and school activities, the security of these systems must be enhanced to address the threat of terrorism.”

The resolution also states that the TSA should “give special attention to school transportation systems by working with school administrators, state and local law enforcement, and other representatives in the school transportation industry to keep children safe from terrorist attack.”

Legislators urged TSA to continue development of such successful programs as the National Explosives Detection Canine Team and continuing education for transportation professionals, including online and person-to- person professional development programs on security from terrorist threats and relations with the traveling public.