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Senators Klobuchar and Burr to Serve as Senate Co-Chairs of E9-1-1 Caucus

March 25, 2009

Washington, D.C. –Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Senator Richard Burr (R-NC) have been named as the new bipartisan Senate co-chairs of the Congressional E9-1-1 Caucus.  They will join Congressman John Shimkus (R-IL) and Congresswoman Anna Eshoo (D-CA), who are the House co-chairs.  Klobuchar succeeds Secretary of State Hillary Clinton as a Senate co-chair of the caucus, whose mission is to promote enhanced 9-1-1 services and improve the nation’s emergency communications system.

“As a former prosecutor, I’ve always believed that the first responsibility of government is to protect its citizens,” said Klobuchar.  “Our first responders serve on the front lines every day to protect our communities and we need to make sure they have the resources they need to carry out this important task.  I look forward to working with Senator Burr, Congressman Shimkus, Congresswoman Eshoo and all the members of the Caucus to ensure that our nation’s emergency communications system is equipped for the 21st Century.”

“I am committed to making sure our nation’s emergency responders have the tools they need to protect American citizens,” said Burr.  “9-1-1 is a crucial life saving link, and this caucus will prepare us to help make that link as strong as possible.”

“The E9-1-1 Caucus is truly a bipartisan, bicameral group that works together to advance emergency services and the protection of our citizens” Shimkus noted.  “We are pleased to welcome Senators Klobuchar and Burr as co-chairs.”

“Senators Klobuchar and Burr have a strong commitment to public safety and I welcome them to the efforts of the E9-1-1 Caucus as we work to improve and expand our country’s life-saving emergency communications systems,” Eshoo said.

The co-chairs of the E9-1-1 Caucus plan to unveil a comprehensive legislative agenda for the 111th Congress soon.  Klobuchar, Burr, Eshoo and Shimkus were recognized at the sixth annual “9-1-1 Honors Gala,” sponsored by the E9-1-1 Institute and the National Emergency Number Association yesterday.  The Gala honored outstanding members of the 9-1-1 community, first responders, and citizen heroes.

Established in 2003, the Congressional E9-1-1 Caucus seeks to raise public awareness and educate policy makers on the importance of the nation’s 9-1-1 system and to advance the availability of E9-1-1 services throughout the county. The Caucus works closely with the public safety community, industry and citizens to ensure that the best technology is available for emergency communications and that the call centers and emergency networks are adequately funded.