Press Release

For Immediate Release
1 May 2008

ACTE REQUESTS REPEAL OF REAL ID AND ENDORSES THE IDENTIFICATION SECURITY ENHANCEMENT ACT IN WRITTEN TESTIMONY

Alexandria, Va. --

The Association of Corporate Travel Executives (ACTE) urged the repeal of key sections of the REAL ID Act of 2005, in written testimony presented to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Subcommittee on 29 April 2008. According to a statement issued by the association's Global Executive Director, Susan Gurley, ACTE then endorsed the proposed Identification Security Enhancement Act (S. 717) as a "realistic and reasonable alternative" to REAL ID.

"The primary objective of any government security or identity program that impacts travel is to safeguard the lives and the livelihoods of travellers – while fostering confidence in the transportation network and the people entrusted with its protection," said Gurley. "The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) REAL ID program falls short of these objectives."

Gurley's testimony detailed the shortcomings of the REAL ID Act, which included creating a dual standard of identification for U.S. citizens travelling domestically and storing sensitive drivers license data in a questionable manner that could place the U.S. travel network at risk through fraudulent documents.

"In an attempt to strengthen certain aspects of the states' drivers licensing program, the REAL ID Act inadvertently exposed these same systems to other weaknesses," commented Gurley. She also noted that state legislators and governors from California to New Hampshire were debating the effectiveness of the REAL ID Act, and that a substantial number did not support it. "Numerous security experts from around the country also questioned the degree of security promised by REAL ID, while expressing doubt that a massive new federal database would not be breached," she added.

ACTE's endorsed the Identification Security Enhancement Act by stating it offered tighter control over the drivers licensing process, without creating an additional federal identification document. According to Gurley, the proposed legislation adds enhanced security measures, including extended consideration for privacy laws enacted by the states, and provisions which prohibit the use of this enhanced identification by third parties. ACTE has been a longtime advocate of traveller redress and resolution in regard to data, and applauded the fact that the Identification Security Enhancement Act provides for due process.

ABOUT ACTE:
The Association of Corporate Travel Executives (ACTE) represents the global business travel industry through its international advocacy efforts, executive level educational programs, and independent industry research. ACTE's membership consists of senior travel industry executives from 82 countries representing the €200 billion business travel industry. With the support of sponsors from every major segment of the business travel industry, ACTE develops and delivers educational programs in key business centers throughout the world. ACTE has offices in Africa, Asia-Pacific, Canada, Europe, Latin America, Middle East and the United States. For more information on ACTE, please go to www.acte.org.

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For more information, contact:
Debbie Flynn
CEO
Brighter Group
The Pod, London's Vertical Gateway
Bridges Wharf, Battersea
London SW11 3BE England
T: 020 7326 9880
F: 020 7326 9890
E: [email protected]
W: www.brightergroup.com