Governor Kaine, D.C. Mayor Fenty, Md. Governor-Elect O'Malley Discuss Regional Security Issues

Governor Kaine, D.C. Mayor Fenty, Md. Governor-Elect O'Malley Discuss Regional Security Issues

- Executives commit to continue regular meetings -

Virginia Governor Timothy M. Kaine, Washington, D.C. Mayor Adrian M. Fenty, and Maryland Governor-elect Martin J. O'Malley met today in Washington to discuss the National Capital Region's progress and cooperation on homeland security issues. Today's briefing and discussion was held at the Unified Communications Center in the District.

"Mayor Fenty, Governor-elect O'Malley and I look forward to continuing these regular regional meetings so that we can build on our shared progress in the National Capital Region," Governor Kaine said. "Virginia, Maryland and the District have made significant investments in this region's homeland security preparedness, and each of us is committed to work every day with our local and federal partners to keep our citizens safe in an emergency."

"The District of Columbia is the nerve center of America's homeland security apparatus," said Mayor Fenty. "Along with Acting Police Chief Cathy Lanier - a proven homeland security leader - I am committed to ensuring the safety of my constituents and the integrity of the nation's security systems," he said, concluding, "I am fortunate to have the able partnership of Governor Kaine and Governor-elect O'Malley in this ongoing effort, and look forward to working with them long into the future."

"I look forward to working in partnership with Governor Kaine and Mayor Fenty to improve regional homeland security in the National Capital Region," said Governor-elect O'Malley.

The National Capital Region, created and defined by Congress, includes the District of Columbia, Prince Georges and Montgomery Counties in Maryland, and Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, Prince William, and Alexandria in Virginia.

Today's meeting was the seventh meeting between the executive leadership of the three jurisdictions since April 2003. The regional meetings have allowed the executives and their staff members to form strong cooperative relationships in areas of mutual interest and cooperation, including homeland security, air quality, transportation, the Chesapeake Bay, and tourism. The 2003 meeting was the first between Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. executives in 12 years.

http://www.governor.virginia.gov/MediaRelations/NewsReleases/viewRelease.cfm?id=325