FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 07, 2017
January 07, 2017
Contact:
Tim Kauffman
202-639-6405/202-374-6491
[email protected]
TSA Union Leader Responds to Shooting at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood Airport
Categories:
TSA, Washington, D.C., AFGE National President
AFGE National President offers condolences to victims’ families and calls for increased security
WASHINGTON – American Federation of Government Employees National President J. David Cox Sr. issued the following statement in response to the shooting on Friday at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport:
“This horrific shooting is just another reminder that more needs to be done to secure our nation’s airports. AFGE has long-called for extensive training for TSA Officers and the creation of a new unit of trained and armed law enforcement officers within TSA at airports nationwide. Lawmakers and airport officials must implement increased security measures to ensure the safety of passengers and all airport personnel.
“In 2015, AFGE pushed for a provision in the Gerardo Hernandez Airport Security Act requiring TSA to provide practical active-shooter training for all TSA Officers. The Act was named after the TSA officer who was murdered at a checkpoint at Los Angeles International Airport in 2013. We are committed to working with TSA to ensure that this training is conducted at all U.S. airports.
"Attacks like those at LAX, New Orleans, and now Fort Lauderdale highlight the need for the TSA Administrator to use his existing legal authority to improve the security of passengers, TSA officers, and airport and airline personnel.
“Passengers, TSA Officers, and airport employees deserve to be safe while in our nation’s airports. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims of this heinous attack and their families.”
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