SENATOR SUSAN COLLINS TO ADDRESS COAST GUARD PORT SECURITY MEETING HELD IN PORTLAND AT HER REQUEST

PORTLAND, MAINE – Senator Susan Collins, Chairman of the Governmental Affairs Committee, which oversees the Homeland Security duties of The United States Coast Guard, will address a meeting on port security organized by the USCG. The meeting, which will be held on February 20, 2003 at the Holiday Inn by the Bay, 88 Spring St., Portland from 10:00 a.m. to 12 noon, will focus on the Maritime Transportation Security Act (MTSA). The MTSA became law on November 25, 2002.

The meeting will cover port security issues facing coastal Maine and New Hampshire, and focus primarily on the ports of Portland, Bar Harbor, and Portsmouth, NH. Discussions will center on strategies for assessing port vulnerability and subsequent responses, protective measures, and responses in the event of a breach of security. The meeting is being organized by Commander Mark P. O'Malley, United States Coast Guard, Captain of the Port of Portland at Senator Collins's request.

"I continue to believe that our biggest homeland security challenge is that of securing our seaports. Briefings of this nature are vitally important to those who are on the front lines of maintaining our maritime security and I commend Commander O'Malley for his leadership in assembling this meeting," said Senator Collins.

"As Chairman of the Governmental Affairs Committee, which oversees the Department of Homeland Security, and the Coast Guard's homeland security duties, listening to the vulnerability assessments, and suggested remedies and responses will be invaluable to me." ###