Washington, D.C. — U.S. Rep. Bob Etheridge (D-Lillington) is using his position on the Homeland Security Committee to advocate for increased school bus security.
The committee approved H.R. 1401, The Rail and Public Transportation Act of 2007, Tuesday.
“As the former Superintendent of North Carolina’s public schools, I know how important it is to children, parents, and schools that students get to and from school safely and securely,” said Etheridge. “This legislation addresses the risks that face school buses every day. An attack on a school bus would be devastating not only in lives harmed, but also in its psychological and symbolic impact. We owe our children no less than to ensure that we understand all threats and take steps to address these threats.”
At the request of Etheridge, the bill includes a provision to require that the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security perform a comprehensive threat assessment for school transportation and make recommendations to DHS and Congress on how to respond to those threats. The Etheridge provision complements the rest of the bill, which closes security gaps in rail and mass transit safety efforts. The legislation provides support and guidance for training, grants security planning, research and development and securing hazardous materials.
The Etheridge school bus provision was originally suggested by Derek Graham of the N.C. Department of Public Instruction. Graham is also the President of the National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services. School buses have been targets of terrorists not only in countries such as Israel, Thailand, Yemen, and African countries, but also in Canada and the United States.
“For too long, the Department of Homeland Security has ignored threats to rail, public transportation and buses, and I am pleased to cosponsor this legislation to remedy this failure of DHS. In the face of recent attacks in London and Madrid, and with our own subways and buses still vulnerable, I am hopeful that this legislation will make sure that the Department focuses attention on this critical work,” said Etheridge.