Harris Lauds Progress in Airport Security

Rep. Katherine Harris on Tuesday toured Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport and was impressed at the airport's many security improvements. But she said "there is so much we can and must do while guarding the safety and security of our citizens."

She cited a long list of items the federal government has done to bolster national security.

"It's important that we realize that since 9/11 there have been no successful attacks on our soil and this isn't by accident," said Harris, a Republican from Longboat Key who is running to unseat Democratic U.S. Senator Bill Nelson. "America's changed dramatically in how we have reflected upon those actions and how we've become more pro-active and vigilant in our approach to combatting terror."

The federal government has eliminated a number of major al-Qaida terrorists, derailed 15 major terrorist plots in the U.S., convicted 261 in terrorism-related cases and charged more than 180 others, she said.

The government has added thousands of new border patrol agents and sent more than $618 million in Homeland Security grants to Florida since 2002, she said.

"We are indeed safer now than we were prior to 9/11," she told the group.

Harris said she appreciated the chance to hear first-hand what needs to be done for better homeland security during a roundtable discussion with mostly local officials that was closed to the public for security reasons.

She said she has already contributed to a number of improvements at the airport such as helping get funds to build the airport's new $4.5 million emergency operations center, and the installation of a sophisticated, closed-circuit television system with 70 cameras that can scan the entire airfield.

The center is designed to handle any sort of problem that might arise, including hurricanes, terrorism or hijackings. It is not visible to travelers and is located in a secure area of the airport, said Fred Piccolo, SRQ's president and chief executive officer.

Also attending the event was David McDonald, executive director of Port Manatee.

Harris represents the 13th Congressional District.

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