Commending Homeland Security Department Employees And Anti-terrorism Partners

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House Resolution 731 and thank my colleague, Ms. Clarke, for introducing it. This resolution applauds the public servants at the Department of Homeland Security, DHS, for their outstanding dedication to securing our Nation.

More importantly, House Resolution 731 encourages citizens to prepare themselves and their families to respond to any emergency--whether it is an act of terror, natural disaster, or other crisis.

Today marks the end of National Preparedness Month, NPM, which DHS has successfully promoted for the last 6 years. NPM is sponsored by the Ready Campaign and Citizen Corps program, and is designed to encourage Americans to take simple steps to prepare for emergencies in their homes, businesses, and communities. DHS has partnered with 2,400 coalition members across the country to promote the message that preparedness is a shared responsibility and that we all must do our part to be ready when disaster strikes.

As a former volunteer firefighter, I know that lives are saved when the public takes steps to prepare for the worst. And as the chairman of the Homeland Security Committee, I want the people of this Nation to take the necessary steps to prepare themselves in the event of an emergency. To be prepared, all individuals should visit www.ready.gov and take three simple steps. These steps are:

1. Get a Kit. All households should build a disaster supply kit that includes enough supplies for each family member for three days. The kit should include basic items such as water, food, medicine, batteries, flashlights, hygiene materials, and blankets.

2. Make a Plan. Every family should develop and communicate with each other their evacuation or sheltering plan. The plan should correspond to the school, work and community of every member of the family. All families are encouraged to practice this plan to ensure familiarity with evacuation or meeting routes, have cell phones charged and keep a charger in the car.

3. Be informed. We all need to know about the type of disasters or emergencies that may occur where we live, work and play. Every citizen should also learn about what to do in the event of a biological, chemical, explosive, nuclear or radiological attack.

In addition to getting a kit, making a plan, and being informed, citizens can also get involved in helping their neighbors prepare. To learn how you can contribute to the Citizen Corps program, which brings together communities in emergency preparedness, planning, mitigation, response and recovery efforts, visit the www.citizencorps.gov website.

Mr. Speaker, an August 2009 survey commissioned by FEMA's Citizen Corps program shows we have a long way to go as a nation in preparing our communities for a disaster. According to the survey, just 56 percent of respondents reported having disaster supply kits in their home. Only 50 percent were familiar with emergency alert and warning systems, and just 38 percent were familiar with local sources of public safety information.

We must close these gaps. National Preparedness Month is one such step toward doing just that. It is an important national public awareness campaign that promotes citizen and community preparedness.

Mr. Speaker, for these reasons, I support H. Res. 731 and urge adoption of this resolution.

Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 731. The Department of Homeland Security has worked diligently to keep us safe since the devastating attacks on 9/11.

And thankfully we've not had a successful attack since then--it's not because of luck, but due to the hard work of the men and women who work every day to secure the Homeland.

The over 200,000 employees of 22 agencies that make up the Department deserve our utmost gratitude for their steadfast resolve and commitment to prevent acts of terror against our citizens.

They have worked to increase cooperation between our intelligence and defense communities.

They have strengthened our preparedness and created partnerships among Federal agencies and local and state first responders.

These employees patrol our land and sea borders, secure our airports and Ports of Entry and safeguard critical infrastructure.

Theirs is truly a 24/7 job whose successes are rarely known or acknowledged.

As the recent arrest of Najibullah Zazi, the Afghan accused of plotting to plant bombs in New York shows, we still face many challenges to stop the threat of terrorism on our shores and in our cities and towns.

Border security must be enhanced; we must remain vigilant if we are to continue to disrupt plots and attacks on our nation. Complacency isn't an option because as we have seen over and over again, the intent to commit acts of terrorism remains strong.

Defending the homeland will take more than just a Federal effort--our fire fighters, law enforcement officers, emergency medical personnel, and other first responders selflessly and repeatedly risk their lives to fulfill their mission of helping to prevent, and prepare to respond to, acts of terrorism, major disasters, and other emergencies.

All Americans should take the opportunity during National Preparedness Month this September to take steps at home, work, and school to enhance their ability to assist in preventing, protecting against, and preparing to respond to acts of terrorism.

I commend the work of our first responders and the Department of Homeland Security. I offer my full cooperation in meeting our shared goals of keeping America safe and secure.

I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.

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Ms. CLARKE. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Clarke) that the House suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 731.

The question was taken.

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