March 29, 2004
 

Department of Homeland Security Awards More than $8Million for Preparedness of Columbus    

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Deborah Pryce (R-OH-15) announced today that the Department of Homeland Security awarded $8,656,169.00 from the Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) to enhance the overall security and preparedness of Columbus.  These funds are part of more than $8 billion the Department has allocated or awarded since March 1, 2003 to help our nation’s first responders and state and local governments to prevent, respond and recover from potential acts of terrorism and other potential disasters. 

“I’ve worked hard to ensure that Columbus’s security concerns are being heard in Washington, I’m happy to see that the Administration is effectively meeting the requests from those who know our community best and strive to keep our families and neighborhoods safe,” said Pryce. 

“This funding is so crucial for the first responders who must be given the appropriate and adequate tools to carry out their mission when the call to duty comes in.  If Columbus has greater security needs then we must address them with the proper resources, and this funding is a very encouraging step.”       

“Homeland Security is pleased to be part of the Administration’s efforts to direct funds to areas with greater security needs,” said Secretary Ridge.  “Since FY’03, Homeland Security has awarded over $1.5 billion in UASI funds to directly address the needs of 50 urban areas.  These funds help fulfill one of our most critical missions – to enhance the preparedness of states and localities across the nation.”

“Thousands of dollars have been effectively directed into the hands of the first responders at the local level, now larger urban areas, like Columbus are also benefiting from the work the Administration is doing to identify cities with the greatest needs,” said Pryce.   

Secretary Ridge announced the application period for UASI in November 2003, as part of $725 million allocated in FY’04 for urban area preparedness and mass transit security grants.  Urban areas are chosen based on a formula that takes into account factors including population density, amount and vulnerability of critical infrastructure and credible threat information.  The funds are distributed to the designated states, which work with cities and counties to form regions that will work together through mutual aid agreements, interoperable communications, statewide intelligence centers and community and citizen participation. 

In total across the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Justice, this Administration has provided $13.1 billion dollars in direct homeland security grants from FY’02 to FY’04, as compared to only $1.2 billion allocated from FY’99 to FY’01 – more than a 900% increase in the commitment and spending on homeland security.   

Congresswoman Pryce, the fourth ranking member of House Leadership, served as a member of the House Select Homeland Security Committee and helped draft the bill creating the Department of Homeland Security.  The Congresswoman represents the Fifteenth District of Ohio, which includes Western Franklin County, Madison, and Union Counties. 
 

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