Tribute to David Stone

May 20, 2003

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend the achievements of the Federal Security Director at the Los Angeles International Airport, retired Rear Admiral David M. Stone.

During his tenure with the Transportation Security Administration, Admiral Stone has been instrumental in enhancing the security of the Los Angeles International Airport, the largest origin and destination airport in the world. In addition to working closely with my office, he has worked closely with the aviation and transportation industry, elected officials at every level of government, and, most important, with the talented pool of workers and applicants for employment at LAX.

Through Admiral Stone's efforts, Los Angeles is a safer place. Under his leadership, TSA was able to mobilize, train, and deploy the largest federalized screener force in the United States, two weeks before the national deadline. He also implemented the 100 percent checked baggage screening program at LAX, screening in excess of 150,000 bags per day. He did a superb job of demonstrating TSA's competence, which Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge had the opportunity to see when he visited LAX on April 25, 2003.

I was proud that Admiral Stone served on my Service Academy Selection Committee. As a graduate of the United States Naval Academy, his evaluation of prospective cadets contributed to the selection of the most qualified candidates in the 36th District of California for nomination to our Nation's military academies.

Mr. Speaker, I will miss working with David Stone on enhancing security at LAX. I salute his accomplishments and wish him well.

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