News Release - Etheridge Appointed to Two Key Homeland Security Subcommittees

News Release
Congressman Bob Etheridge
North Carolina

March 25, 2003

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

Etheridge Appointed to Two
Key Homeland Security Subcommittees

WASHINGTON – With the terror alert at high and the nation at war with Iraq, U.S. Rep. Bob Etheridge (D-Lillington) has been appointed to two subcommittees of the House Select Committee on Homeland Security to work to keep North Carolina and the nation safe and prepared. Etheridge was named to the Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness and Response and the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Research and Development.

“During this tense and difficult time for our nation, I take the responsibilities of these subcommittees very seriously,” Etheridge said. “I will use these positions to continue to fight for North Carolina’s first responders, the folks on the front lines protecting our hometowns. This new committee will ensure that the new Department of Homeland Security quickly implements effective plans that protect North Carolina and our hometowns.”

The Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness and Response will deal with preparation for and response to chemical, biological, radiological and other attacks on civilian populations, as well as public health issues, coordination among federal, state and local governments and disaster preparedness. The Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Science and Research and Development will be responsible for the security of computer, telecommunications, information technology and electric infrastructure and the prevention of government and private networks from cyberattack. The other three subcommittees include Infrastructure and Border Security, Rules, and Intelligence and Counterterrorism.

Last year Congress authorized the largest reorganization of the federal government in a generation with the creation of the Homeland Security Department, which will contain all or parts of 22 federal agencies. The House Select Committee on Homeland Security was created to further the goal of protecting the United States from terrorist attack by coordinating all House oversight of the new Homeland Security Department and exercising exclusive legislative jurisdiction over the Homeland Security Act that established the department.

The 48 members of the House Select Committee on Homeland Security were selected based on their substantive expertise in the many areas such as intelligence, cybersecurity, border and port security, public health and emergency preparedness that together comprise the mission of the Homeland Security Department. Etheridge is the only North Carolinian serving on the committee.