Port Security Hearing Today (2/28) at 2:30 in Commerce Comm

[TayTay]

Might generate some news: You never know.

Security of Terminal Operations at U.S. Ports
Full Committee Hearing
Tuesday, February 28 2006 - 2:30 PM - Dirksen 106

Webcast: Click here to view a live webcast of this hearing. http://commerce.senate.gov/hearings/witnesslist.cfm?id=1776
Description: WASHINGTON, DC – The Senate Commerce Committee today announced it will hold a Full Committee hearing on the recent purchase by Dubai Ports World (DP World) of the P&O Port division of P&O Group on Tuesday, February 28, 2006, at 2:30 p.m. in a room 109 of the Dirksen Building. The hearing will examine DP World’s purchase of P&O Ports and the security role held by the U.S. government at ports. This deal, which allows DP World to gain access to terminal leases held by P&O throughout the world, was accepted by P&O shareholders February 13, 2006. P&O Ports is a multi-national terminal operating company based in the United Kingdom, which leases terminals throughout the world, including six in the United States – New York, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Miami, and New Orleans. DP World is owned by the United Arab Emirates government. This offer was accepted over a similar offer tendered by PSA International. “This hearing will provide Committee Members the opportunity to clearly understand what the proposed purchase means for terminal operations at ports,” said Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Stevens (R-Alaska). “It is important for us to get the facts and avoid speculation. This hearing will help us make informed decisions to ensure the security at our nation's ports.” Witnesses will be announced when available.

Panel 1:

The Honorable Michael P. Jackson
Deputy Secretary, Department of Homeland Security

Panel 2:

Mr. H. Edward Bilkey
Chief Operating Officer, DP World

Mr. Robert Scavone
Executive Vice President, Strategic Planning & Dvelopment, P&O Ports North America, Inc.

Mr. Michael Mitre
Port Security Director, International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU)

Mr. Christopher Koch
President and Chief Executive Officer, World Shipping Council

Mr. Tay Yoshitani
Senior Policy Advisor, National Association of Waterfront Employers
***************************

Gee, I think that all the Sens. may show up for this one. I certainly hope so. Sounds like an interesting issue. Wonder if the TV shows will send a crew to cover it?

[TayTay]

1. News article: JK & Port issue (Sandy, just for you.)

From: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060228/ap_on_go_ot/ports_security

More fuel could be added to the fire Tuesday when the Senate Commerce Committee holds a hearing to review the DP World deal. Edward H. Bilkey, DP World's chief operating officer, was to testify.

In February, the Commerce Committee vetted the appointment of David C. Sanborn of Virginia, a senior DP World executive, to be the new administrator of the Maritime Administration of the Transportation Department.

The White House appointed Sanborn, who worked as DP World's director of operations for Europe and Latin America, to the post in January, the same month the Treasury Department's Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States approved the DP World takeover.

Two Democrats, Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts and Bill Nelson of Florida, have vowed to block Sanborn's nomination unless he testifies again before the Commerce Committee. "He worked for Dubai Ports World when this deal was rushed through under cover of darkness without sufficient security review," Kerry said in a statement Tuesday. "In the post 9/11 world, we need to know why."

Now, who pushed for this hearing initially and who pushed to move it up from Thursday to today?

[ProSense]

2. You beat me to it.

Very interesting development.

[ProSense]

3. You should

post this in GD-P.

[kerrygoddess]

6. John Kerry on the Nomination of David Sanborn to Head Maritime Admin.

Checked with JK's office for a statement as per the Sanborn nomination and got this:

http://blog.thedemocraticdaily.com/?p=2087

[TayTay]

4. kick for the West Coast folks

Hi! Love you folks!

http://commerce.senate.gov/hearings/witnesslist.cfm?id=1776

[kerrygoddess]

5. Love you too!

Thanks Tay Tay... are behind the times or somthing out here on the left coast? LOL!