Res. No. 2119 Title Resolution calling upon the appropriate Committee of the Council of the City of New York to conduct oversight hearings on the safety of the City's public transportation system. Body By Council Members Moskowitz, Freed, Henry, Marshall, Michels and Clarke; also Council Member Carrion Whereas, On September 11, 2001, airplanes were the weapons chosen to attack the United States; and Whereas, The security breaches that enabled these attacks resulted in the closing of all of the country's airports; and Whereas, When the airports were re-opened, passengers remained fearful of boarding airplanes and the airlines operated at a capacity significantly less than normal; and Whereas, The airport shutdown and subsequent reduction in passengers resulted in financial problems for the airlines that proved so severe that they necessitated a federal government bailout of the industry; and Whereas, Congress recently enacted legislation to reform the airport screening process to make airports safer and to increase public confidence to board airplanes in the same numbers as prior to the September 11th attacks; and Whereas, The federal bailout of the airline industry and the newly enacted federal legislation were necessary because transportation is a key element of the national economy; and Whereas, Public transportation is also an important component of New York City's economy, ensuring that passengers are sufficiently shuttled to their desired destinations; and Whereas, As a result of the September 11th attacks, many New Yorkers are fearful to utilize public transportation; and Whereas, The City's economy, which had been slowing prior to September 11th, was devastated by the terrorist attacks, and the resulting destruction and loss of confidence in New York City has left the City in need of an economic stimulus; and Whereas, Confidence in the safety of public transportation is an important step in increasing reliance on the City's public transportation system, returning New Yorkers' lives to normal, and helping to revive the City's economy; now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the appropriate Committee of the Council of the City of New York conduct oversight hearings on the safety of the City's public transportation system. LS # 4654 11/07/01