WASHINGTON, Feb. 20 (UPI) -- The head of the House Homeland Security Committee has stressed the importance of securing the U.S. public transportation system in the wake of attacks in India.
Rep. Bennie G. Thompson, D-Miss., said in a statement that terrorist attacks on the Indian rail system should further convince U.S. legislators to focus on the vulnerabilities of the rail and public transportation systems in the United States.
The House Homeland Security Committee issued the statement on Monday after two bombs exploded in India on a train bound for Pakistan. At least 65 passengers were killed in the attack.
"Next month marks the third anniversary since the Madrid bombings; while later this year marks the second anniversary of the London bombings and a year since the Mumbai blasts. Sadly, despite a history of terror attacks against rail and transit systems around the world, millions of men and women who travel America's rail and public transit systems remain vulnerable to known security deficiencies," Thompson said.
The chairman said he will introduce legislation next month to secure rail and public transportation systems in the United States. The Sept. 11 Commission warned in 2004 that these systems were particularly vulnerable to terrorist attack, and the Democratic leadership of the new Congress has vowed to address these concerns.
"Terrorists have yet again demonstrated that transportation systems are targets, and this notice must not be ignored. I call upon my colleagues in the House and Senate to work with me to secure our trains and public transit systems. We have received enough warnings. History will judge us if we don't act now," said Thompson.
