Transportation security head installed

President Bush this week used a "recess appointment" to install John W. Magaw as the under secretary for the newly formed Transportation Security Administration (TSA) within the Department of Transportation. Magaw is a former director of the Secret Service and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms and has been acting executive director of the Office of National Preparedness within the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

The TSA is taking over aviation security from the FAA and is responsible for implementing the recently enacted aviation security law (PL 107-71). That law also required a DOT report to Congress on GA security. The secretary of Transportation issued the report last month. To help educate Magaw on general aviation and security issues, AOPA, in conjunction with other GA groups, have sent him an industry security proposal.

"We look forward to working with John Magaw in his new capacity as under secretary for Transportation Security," said AOPA President Phil Boyer. "While we anticipate most of the TSA's attention will rightfully be oriented at commercial airline security, AOPA is taking steps to assist TSA in understanding how the issue applies to general aviation."

Although Magaw's nomination attracted little opposition, the Senate failed to approve the action prior to recessing for the holidays, causing the President to use his constitutional authority for recess appointments to install him without Senate approval.

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