McCaul Introduces Homeland Security Volunteerism Enhancement Act

McCaul Introduces Homeland Security Volunteerism Enhancement Act
October 20, 2005

(Washington D.C.)- To harness the spirit of volunteerism on our borders, and to help address the changing threats and issues which face our nation, Congressman Michael McCaul (R-Texas) has introduced the Homeland Security Volunteerism Enhancement Act of 2005. This bipartisan legislation is designed to provide federal training to volunteers who want to help fortify America's borders.

Volunteerism is a fundamental part of being an American citizen, and since 9/11 preparing and protecting our communities has become an essential part of our lives. Accordingly, in January of 2002, President Bush established the Citizen Corps to facilitate opportunities for individuals to be involved in homeland security efforts and create options for citizens to help prevent, prepare and respond to threats against America. The Citizen Corps programs include: Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT), Medical Reserve Corps, Neighborhood Watch, Volunteers in Police Service (VIPS), and the Fire Corps.

The Citizen Preparedness Enhancement Act of 2005 will empower the Citizen Corps to recruit, train and accept volunteers for Homeland Security activities. Congressman McCaul's bill will officially authorize the Citizen Corps, and also create a new division of the Citizen Corps to be known as the Border Corps, which is modeled after existing auxiliaries currently in place, such as the Coast Guard Auxiliary.

"We've seen volunteers with the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary succeed in helping to defend our country, and I now think it's time the Department of Homeland Security make use of all the people who want to volunteer to help keep America safe along our nation's borders," stated Congressman Michael McCaul. He went on to say, "It is for this reason that I am introducing legislation to establish the America's Border Corps."

Volunteers in the Border Corps will be assigned to duties ranging from maintenance and administrative functions to public outreach, video camera monitoring and watchman duties, standing watch along non-trafficked areas and transport and care of apprehended individuals. No Border Patrol officer will be replaced by a Border Corps volunteer, but these volunteers will free up officers for more serious work, thus serving as a force multiplier for the Border Patrol.

"We're going to make sure that everyone volunteering for America's Border Corps goes through a background check and gets the proper training to work alongside the experts guarding our borders," stated McCaul. He went on to say, "These volunteers will know the laws and limits of their service, and will respect the human rights of the undocumented aliens they come into contact with."

The Border Corps will be administered by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and eligible volunteers must be legal residents and U.S. citizens, be a minimum of 18 years of age and undergo background checks. The bill will give the Secretary of Homeland Security broad discretion in establishing the duties of the border corps volunteers and the type of federal training they must complete before serving as a volunteer.

Other Members of Congress co-introducing the bill with Congressman McCaul are Rep. Dan Boren (D-OK), Rep. Lamar Smith (R-TX), Rep. Thelma Drake (R-VA) and Rep. John Culberson (R-TX).

Congressman McCaul serves as Chairman of the Subcommittee on Investigations for the Committee on Homeland Security, as well as maintains his role as Freshman Representative to the Republican Leadership.

http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/tx10_mccaul/10_20_05_HSVEA.html