Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - September 27, 2001
Contact: Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136
The order follows President George W. Bush’s request this morning to the nation’s governors that the guardsmen be placed at commercial airports.
"My first priority is the safety of the traveling public,” Locke said. “I want people to feel comfortable and confident when going through our airports and flying on our planes. To that end, I support the President's request to augment existing airport security with specially-trained guardsmen.”
National Guardsmen, who will be trained by the Federal Aviation Administration in a number of security disciplines, will be stationed at airports for the next four to six months until the President’s long-term airport security proposals are enacted by the Congress.
“As the President stated this morning, we want to restore the public’s confidence in the airline industry,” the governor stated. “Today’s proclamation is not the result of a new terrorist threat against the nation. Rather, it is additional assurance to the American public that airport security is stringent and that we are taking all prudent steps to ensure that it continues to be so.”
“I ask the regular employers and communities of the men and women of the National Guard for understanding and support while they serve their country,” Locke continued.
Locke is working closely with Bush administration officials on the size and scope of the National Guard deployment. In addition, the federal government has agreed to reimburse the state for costs associated with the deployment.
A copy of the governor’s proclamation will be available on the governor’s web site tomorrow at www.governor.wa.gov.
Related Links:
- National Guard
- Federal Aviation Administration
- Washington National Guard
- The White House
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - September 27, 2001
Contact: Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136
Gov. Locke will authorize National Guard deployment to Washington airports
OLYMPIA — Augmenting already enhanced security at Washington airports, Gov. Gary Locke tonight will sign a proclamation authorizing the deployment of the state National Guard at commercial airports in Washington state.The order follows President George W. Bush’s request this morning to the nation’s governors that the guardsmen be placed at commercial airports.
"My first priority is the safety of the traveling public,” Locke said. “I want people to feel comfortable and confident when going through our airports and flying on our planes. To that end, I support the President's request to augment existing airport security with specially-trained guardsmen.”
National Guardsmen, who will be trained by the Federal Aviation Administration in a number of security disciplines, will be stationed at airports for the next four to six months until the President’s long-term airport security proposals are enacted by the Congress.
“As the President stated this morning, we want to restore the public’s confidence in the airline industry,” the governor stated. “Today’s proclamation is not the result of a new terrorist threat against the nation. Rather, it is additional assurance to the American public that airport security is stringent and that we are taking all prudent steps to ensure that it continues to be so.”
“I ask the regular employers and communities of the men and women of the National Guard for understanding and support while they serve their country,” Locke continued.
Locke is working closely with Bush administration officials on the size and scope of the National Guard deployment. In addition, the federal government has agreed to reimburse the state for costs associated with the deployment.
A copy of the governor’s proclamation will be available on the governor’s web site tomorrow at www.governor.wa.gov.
Related Links:
- National Guard
- Federal Aviation Administration
- Washington National Guard
- The White House
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