Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2010

Floor Speech

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2010 -- (Senate - July 08, 2009)

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Mr. WHITEHOUSE. Mr. President, I speak today about the importance of retaining funding for the Providence Emergency Operations Center in the fiscal year 2010 Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act.

The Providence Emergency Operations Center coordinates emergency response for 60 percent of the population of Rhode Island. I visited this state-of-the-art facility earlier this year and was very impressed by the caliber of its technology, its seamless integration of many different local law enforcement and emergency response agencies, and those who stand at the ready to protect the people of our state against disaster, terrorism, and other threats.

This funding will help make necessary improvements to the facility, including expanding space and improving security and survivability, addressing shortfalls identified in a 2007 review by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. These funds are also expected to create approximately 20 new construction jobs, which are urgently needed in my State, where the unemployment rate has reached a staggering 12.1 percent.

I urge my colleagues to oppose the Feingold amendment so that we do not deprive Rhode Islanders of the resources needed to meet federal requirements for effective emergency response efforts.

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