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Elizabeth Meggintoil, Clitef Conrad October 17, 2003

The Honorable Thomas H. Kean

Chair
National Commission on Terrorist
Attacks Upon the United States
301 7th Street SW, Room 5125
Washington, DC 20407

Dear Governor Kean:

Thank you for contacting my office regarding information the Aviation

Subcommittee has requested from the General Accounting Office (GAO) concerning
aviation security. I will be happy to assist you in your investigation.

Both before September 11, 2001, and since, the Aviation Subcommittee has
played a very active role in improving the security of the flying public. The efforts of the
GAO in this endeavor have been essential. The Commission has my permission to work
with the GAO on the information you have requested, and I encourage you to do so.

Again, the Aviation Subcommittee is more than willing to assist you in your
efforts to improve the nation's transportation security. If you need any more information,
please do not hesitate to contact the Subcommittee at (202) 226-5430.

Subcommittee on Aviation
 October 6, 2003
Thomas H. Kean
CHAIR
The Honorable John L. Mica
Lee H. Hamilton Chairman, Subcommittee on Aviation
VICE CHAIR Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
Richard Ben-Veniste U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515
Max Cleland

Frederick F. Fielding VIA FAX: (202) 225-4629

Jamie S. Gorelick Dear Chairman Mica:

Slade Gorton
As you know, the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United
John F. Lehman States is required by statute to review, identify, and evaluate lessons learned from
Timothy J. Roemer
the events of September 11, 2001 and to recommend measures to improve
transportation security in the United States.
James R. Thompson
The Commission is working with key federal agencies to assemble and evaluate
Philip D. Zelikow the best information on which to base its recommendations. As you know, the
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR General Accounting Office is engaged in a variety of studies bearing on
transportation security, among them a number of the key studies that you have
requested in your capacity as Chairman of the House Infrastructure and
Transportation Committee's Subcommittee on Aviation.

In order to discuss its ongoing work with the Commission, the GAO has asked
that the Commission obtain the permission of the Member of Congress at whose
request the agency is undertaking the relevant study. The purpose of this letter is
to request your permission for the GAO to discuss the work you have requested
with Commission members and staff. A discussion of these reviews is crucial to
the Commission's work and will help inform our recommendations to improve
transportation security on behalf of the nation—a goal we know is a high priority
for you and Congress.

We thank you for your consideration of this request and for your work to improve
civil aviation security.

With best regards,

Thomas H. Kean Lee H. Hamilton

Chair Vice Chair
301 7'h Street SW, Room 5125
Washington, DC 20407
T 202.331.4060 F 202.296.5545
www.9-1 lcoinmission.gov