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“ Democratic priorities are clear: we will fight to get the economy back on track, we will create jobs, and we will help unemployed workers. ” |
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Pelosi: ‘September has Become Synonymous With a Lack of Preparedness, Whether in New York or New Orleans’
Washington, D.C. – House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi joined Congressmen Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Bennie Thompson (D-MS), and Ed Markey (D-MA) and first responders at a news conference today to discuss homeland security and how America remains vulnerable four years after the September 11th terrorist attacks. Below are Pelosi’s remarks:
“Four years ago, our country suffered a terrible attack. This Sunday will mark the four-year anniversary. We remember the many families who were affected by losing their loved ones and their home life. They were devastated. And there were heroes that emerged that day as well.
“At that time, we made some serious and solemn commitments to the American people that we would keep them safe, that we would not be caught off guard, and that those who suffered and died would always be in our hearts, our thought, and our prayers, and serve as an inspiration to us to keep America safe.
“The Department of Homeland Security has declared September ‘National Preparedness Month,’ a time to increase public awareness about the need to prepare for emergencies. Unfortunately, September has become synonymous with a lack of preparedness, whether in New York or New Orleans. Americans should now harbor no illusions about the government’s ability to respond effectively to disasters.
“Four years ago, we lost thousands of Americans, and last week we lost, perhaps, thousands of Americans as well. Our vulnerabilities were laid bare in 2001 by an act of terrorism, and this year by a natural disaster.
“I say that there were two disasters last week: first, the natural disaster; and second, the man-made disaster, the disaster made by mistakes made by FEMA. I have called for the resignation of the head of FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency. I think it should be called the Federal Emergency Mis-Management Agency. We have made promises to the American people that we must keep.
“Four years after the 9/11 attacks, we know America is not as safe as it should be, and Congress has not done all that is should do. In its report on the attacks on 9/11, the independent 9/11 Commission called clearly for the establishment of priorities for national preparedness, noting the importance of ‘protecting borders, securing transportation and other parts of our critical infrastructure, organizing emergency assistance, and working with the private sector to assess vulnerabilities.’
“Four years after 9/11, Congress has not done enough to protect the American people. Security at our ports, on commercial airliners, on our transit systems, and along our borders has not been a priority of either the Congress or the Bush Administration. Not nearly enough progress has been made with the money that has been spent.
“Just last year, Democrats put forth our ‘New Partnership for America’s Future.’ It has six core values, to protect our country and to secure a strong middle class. It was our commitment to provide security and safety to the American people. We have pointed out repeatedly the gaps in our homeland security, yet they seem to fall on deaf ears. Once again, the Republicans are out of touch with the needs of the American people.
“For example, first responders on the Gulf Coast should have had the ability to communicate with one another, four years after that glaring deficiency was demonstrated so painfully on 9/11. How could it be that four years after 9/11 we still do not have real-time communication among first responders? This was a deficiency on 9/11 and it is a deficiency that continues in the Gulf Coast states.
“Four years later we should have had an emergency management plan. That plan is long overdue. We are still waiting for it, Bennie Thompson asks for it all the time. Four years later, we should have plans that address the security issues at nuclear and chemical plants, and we don’t. Four years later, we should have completed a national plan for protecting the transportation system, and we haven’t.
“The lesson of Hurricane Katrina and the 9/11 attacks is that America is not made safe when the government does not plan for a worst case scenario.
“Horrific events, whether directed by the hand of man or nature, do occur. We fail the American people if we do not prepare for those events; either to prevent them or to lessen their impact. It is well past time that Congress recognizes it responsibilities in this area and act accordingly.”
“ Democrats are united in presenting a New Direction for America, one that will make our nation as strong as its people, one that brings opportunity, security, and prosperity to all Americans. ”
Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi
