Chicago, IL. ----  (February 28, 2006) – As a result of a news investigation into the lack of certified training and security standards at Illinois Metra Stations, today, Congressman Bobby Rush (D-1^st) said he will introduce legislation that would create a national uniformed standard that states would have to adhere to before awarding contracts to local firms.  According to a special investigation by the local CBS affiliate, in several field tests bomb-sniffing dogs were unable to detect explosives that could be used in a terrorist’s assault on passengers.

 “I am concerned about the false sense of security being perpetrated on our citizens,” said Cong. Rush. “Taxpayer dollars have been awarded to Metra in order to ensure safety and improve mass transit service to its customers. Passengers should be reasonably safe. However, if these security firms don’t know what they’re doing we must replace them with companies that have been tested and certified with this sort of training.

 “It is time to introduce legislation that will call for national training standards and require firms in Illinois to have certification before being awarded security contracts,” he said. “Given the president have  cut a deal that would give a United Arab Emirates-based company operational control over Port Newark and five other American ports, we must ensure domestically our residents are not at risk for exposure to suicide bombers or domestic terrorists.”

 The CBS2 reporter revealed Metra’s bomb-sniffing dog teams were unable to detect suicide bombers or packages containing explosive materials.  A hidden camera showed dogs at various Metra stations sitting stagnant while passengers pet them on the head as testers wearing incendiary devices went undetected.

 Cong. Rush has brought over $40 million in transportation improvements to the 1^st Congressional District with over $21 million being allocated for rehabilitation of Metra stations on Chicago’s South Side and suburbs.  “It is important that people in underserved communities have access to jobs outside the city,” he explained. “Not only should people be able to get to these jobs, but they should be safe.”