The nomination of Mr. Michael Chertoff as the next Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security will impact many pending and future regulations that concern the nation's transportation infrastructure, including air cargo. The Airforwarders Association, the industry voice for air cargo companies and their partners, has established a close working relationship with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and looks forward to continuing that relationship under Mr. Chertoff.

Mr. Chertoff has proven his commitment to ensuring a safer, more secure America through his work in the U.S. Department of Justice and his distinguished public service record. The determined, thoughtful approach he took in the days following the 9/11 attacks is a positive indicator of how he will confront the challenges waiting at the Department of Homeland Security. Mr. Chertoff's extensive legal background will no doubt aid him in overseeing the implementation and enforcement of new regulations concerning air cargo, as it helped him in establishing the legal framework for the domestic war on terror efforts.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has already faced several challenges in its short history and is certain to see more in the coming years. The incorporation of many separate agencies into one entity has not been without its difficulties and we commend Secretary Tom Ridge for streamlining the roles of the TSA, U.S. Customs and Border Protection and others under the umbrella of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. These outreach efforts extend far beyond just governmental reorganization, however, as Secretary Ridge and DHS sponsored working groups, discussions and seminars to better understand the industries their regulations affect. We hope and expect this willingness to reach out to affected parties and incorporate their concerns into the decision-making process is becoming a trademark of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

For the businesses and individuals whose daily lives and livelihoods are affected by these policies, these efforts have been greatly appreciated. Many complex regulations emerged in the post-9/11 era and without the outreach programs sponsored by DHS and the agencies under its direction, many businesses could have been crippled or even eliminated. The Airforwarders Association has been an active participant in a number of working groups, both prior to and after the inception of DHS. We strongly believe that for the future of both aviation security and the air cargo industry, it is imperative for the next Secretary to continue this approach in implementing policy.

The air cargo industry is a particularly important component of America's economy, providing for the safe, secure and timely transport of good and materials at all hours of the day around the world. A $17 billion dollar industry, it directly employs thousands of Americans in both small businesses and internationally recognized companies. A healthy air cargo industry ensures financial benefits to the economy as a whole, providing revenue for airlines, as well as cost-effective services to the manufacturers and other companies that depend on the rapid transport of their goods across the nation. Just as its health boosts other industries, impediments to the health of air cargo have financial ripple effects felt across most, if not all, economic sectors.

Security is among the most vital components of our industry's health. No one is more committed to aviation security than the Airforwarders Association and its members. The business of airforwarding is built around a guarantee to provide safe transportation of goods in a timely manner. Without a high priority on security, our ability to execute those goals is compromised, harming both our customers and our businesses. We understand firsthand the challenges associated with the secure transport of air cargo, particularly in the 9/11 environment. Our employees face the threat of hazardous materials and dangerous items on a daily basis. This constant reminder of the high-risk environment we operate in has taught us how to identify potential dangers and solutions to prevent these problems from occurring. Everyone in the airforwarding business is involved in security training in some form, with the level of training depending on the work the employee is assigned. In many ways, our very business is providing and ensuring aviation security. That is why we have been actively involved in discussions, working groups and meetings with both DHS and TSA in assessing potential problems and crafting solutions. Most recently, we were asked to be a part of the Aviation Security Advisory Committee, which produced more than 40 recommendations for improving air cargo security, many which were included in the newly proposed TSA rules. These relationships and exchanges have fostered many advances in aviation security that have been effective without negatively impacting the health of the industry.

Our relationship with TSA and DHS has shown us firsthand the importance of a collaborative, good faith atmosphere for strengthening air cargo security. The programs that have been implemented have imposed burdens on the air cargo industry but were crafted in such a way that the concerns of airforwarders were included, creating realistic and effective regulations. By all reports, air cargo grew by more than 9 percent in 2004, fueled by growth in transport to Asia and increased volume. By continuing the advisory groups, other outreach efforts and the balanced regulatory approach, we are confident Mr. Chertoff will continue to advance both air cargo security as well as the economic security of one of America's most critical industries.