News Release - Etheridge, Democrats Convene Homeland Security Hearing

News Release
Congressman Bob Etheridge
North Carolina

June 24, 2003

Contact: Sara Lang
Phone: (202) 225-4531

Etheridge, Democrats Convene Homeland Security Hearing

WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Bob Etheridge (D-Lillington) and his Democratic colleagues in the House of Representatives today convened a hearing on homeland security to hear from local officials, local first responders and security experts who are on the frontlines of our nation’s defenses. During the hearing, Etheridge, a member of the House Select Committee on Homeland Security, heard from a panel of mayors and local officials, and first responders and a panel of homeland security experts about the weaknesses in our current homeland security approach and where Congress should focus its efforts.

“At today’s hearing we were able to get to the very heart of our nation’s homeland security issues and begin to build meaningful solutions to keep America safe,” Etheridge said. Congress must listen to those on the frontlines, who know where the problems lie and what the needs are, and then take effective action to keep North Carolina and the rest of the country safe.”

The panel of mayors, city managers and county officials discussed the impact of the homeland security alert system, the coordination of information between federal and state governments as well as the effectiveness of federal funding. The second panel of homeland security experts covered a variety of resources, including the security of nuclear power plants, roadways, ports and the nation’s food supply. The local officials and first responders talked specifically about the areas where they feel the nation is most vulnerable and what dedicated staff resources are needed to protect these areas.

“It is critical that we get the police department, fire department, and EMS all on the same page. We need to know who has what equipment and who is responding to what call. We need to know what our state and local governments have and get all this information into some sort of game plan,” said Charles Doyle, Islip, NY Fire Chief.

Last year, Congress created the Department of Homeland Security in the largest reorganization of the federal government in more than fifty years. In the coming weeks and months, the Select Committee on Homeland Security will consider legislation to refine the new law and bolster the Department’s effectiveness. Today’s hearing provided Etheridge and his colleagues critical information to guide their decision-making process.

“I am going to work to ensure that Congress follows the advice of those who are on the ground everyday working to keep our families safe,” Etheridge concluded.