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| April 28, 2005 | Blair Jones
Press Secretary
202 225 4236
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Washington, DC − Congressman Lamar Smith (R−TX) today successfully offered an amendment to the Department of Homeland Security Authorization Act to establish a university-based Center for Excellence for Border Security. Fellow Texas Congressman Michael McCaul (R) also lent his support to the amendment.
Smith offered the amendment during the Homeland Security Committee’s consideration of the nation’s first ever comprehensive annual Department of Homeland Security authorization legislation.
“The multi-faceted Center will offer guidance and solutions to the Department of Homeland Security on the most effective means to enhance border security. This will be accomplished by emphasizing border security technology, conducting research and providing educational tools to the department,” said Smith. “I also want to recognize and thank Congressman McCaul for his strong support of this amendment and commitment to this issue.”
“I applaud Chairman Smith for offering the United States a permanent way to stay current and educated on immigration and border security issues. As the former Chief of Counter Terrorism with the Justice Department, whose jurisdiction included the Mexican border, I experienced first hand the ever-growing problems with this part of our nation. I am pleased to have helped bring this amendment to the floor,” stated McCaul.
“Since its establishment, the Homeland Security Department has worked tirelessly to secure our borders. However, the U.S.-Mexican border and the U.S.-Canadian border each pose their own unique set of challenges,” said Smith. “For example, the U.S.-Mexico border includes metropolitan areas and large portions of uninhabited territory that make it vulnerable to direct attacks and terrorist infiltrations.”
Smith noted that in Texas, the border stretches 1,200 miles and consists of major free trade routes, 14 Texas-Mexico sister cities, 11 border ports of entry, and 24 actual border crossings.
“Texas has worked with the federal government’s border security entities, collaborated with Mexico and Central America, and created a “smart” border – using advanced technology, multidisciplinary research and communication. This amendment establishes a Center to duplicate these efforts and successes on a national scale,” Smith said.
“Placing this Border Security Center at the university level will allow flexibility in conducting research and developing real life applications normally restricted to the private sector,” Smith added.
While the ultimate location of the Center of Excellence will have to be determined according to guidelines set by the Department of Homeland Security, Smith added that given Texas’ familiarity with border issues, the University of Texas System is a prime example of where such a center would be successful.
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Congressman Smith is the Chairman of Courts, the Internet, and Intellectual Property Subcommittee of the House Judiciary Committee. Read more about Congressman Smith's positions on high technology.
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