Recognizing the Fifth Anniversary of the Department of Homeland Security

Floor Speech

Recognizing the Fifth Anniversary of the Department of Homeland Security

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Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 1038, which recognizes and honors the employees of the Department of Homeland Security for their contributions in protecting our Nation from terrorist attacks.

We commend today the more than 200,000 employees of the Department that have dedicated themselves to the ongoing effort to secure our Nation.

In January 2003, the Department of Homeland Security officially was established, and in March 2003, 22 Federal agencies were brought together and the Department became operational. The Department has come a long way these five years.

With great interest, our Subcommittee on Management, Investigations, and Oversight has watched and encouraged the Department's progress in managing its components, organizing its people, and executing the critical mission of protecting the Nation.

I am especially pleased with the 21 percent staffing increase that Customs and Border Protection achieved in just one year. I have every confidence these agents are working tirelessly to help improve the security of our borders every single day.

Similarly, the hard-working people at the Transportation Security Administration have implemented a wide range of improvements at our Nation's airports. T-S-A is now training its own employees to be explosives detection canine handlers, which will allow for a considerable surge in detection in the event of a threat to any transportation system.

I am also proud that two key DHS facilities are located in my hometown of Anniston, Alabama. The Center for Domestic Preparedness provides live chemical agent training to first responders, and the Noble Training Center provides training for hospital and healthcare professionals to prepare for and respond to disasters.

The people who serve at the CDP and Noble Training Center provide an invaluable service to our Nation and deserve our thanks.

Yet as we look back over five years of growth and accomplishment, we must also look forward to next year's transition and beyond.

Consolidation of congressional oversight authority is still sorely needed, and remains the sole recommendation of the 9/11 Commission yet to be enacted. The lack of consolidated Congressional oversight jurisdiction over the Department has a direct negative impact on the Department's ability to fulfill its mission of securing the homeland. Congress must address this issue immediately.

In addition, the Congress needs to establish an annual DHS authorization bill to provide the steady-handed guidance that 86 different committees and subcommittees cannot. This Committee, followed by the House and our colleagues in the Senate, must produce an authorization bill in advance of any appropriations bill this year.

And finally, we must allow the Department's employees to work unimpeded by further organizational shuffling.

These and many more challenges lie in front of us. It is our job to ensure that the Department is ready for the future, especially as it prepares to transition to a new administration.

We therefore gladly extend our thanks to the many dedicated individuals that make up the backbone of our Nation's current and future security.

I urge my colleagues to support passage of this resolution.

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