Jan. 11, 2007
 
Rahall Hails Passage of 9/11 Commission Security Recommendations
 
By HNN Staff, from Rahall Press Release
 
Washington, DC (HNN) -- U.S. Rep. Nick J. Rahall, D-WV hailed the House passage of legislation Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2007 that will implement the 9/11 Commission's security recommendations, calling the bill "a monumental step in our efforts to better protect West Virginia families and families across our Nation."
 
"During the first 100 hours of the 110th Congress, we have pledged to work to pass many key bills that will improve the everyday lives of all Americans, of all West Virginians," Rahall said. "It is fitting that we begin our work by passing legislation that will better protect all that we hold dear. It's legislation that is way overdue. This bill will make our country safer by enhancing homeland security, strengthening efforts to stop the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and promoting strategies to bridge understanding, particularly in Muslim parts of the world."
 
The legislation, H.R.1, includes a number of provisions to substantially improve security here at home, including the creation of a stand-alone grant program to provide first responders with the type of equipment that allows them to communicate with one another during times of emergency.
 
"I cannot stress enough how important clear communication is when every second counts," Rahall said. "As I have said before, homeland security begins with hometown security and programs such as this, coupled with other technology initiatives like the GPS deployment program I recently established at the Rahall Transportation Institute, will arm our brave first-responders with the equipment and training they need to keep our families safe."
 
The legislation also includes a number of provisions aimed to strengthen aviation and port security, including phasing in a requirement of 100-percent inspection of air cargo over the next three years, quickly accelerating the installation of in-line explosive detection systems for checked baggage, mandating strategic plan for deployment of explosive detection equipment at passenger checkpoints, and phasing in a requirement of 100 percent scanning of U.S.-bound shipping containers over the next 5 years.
 
"Airports and water ports big and small, in our rural and urban areas, are ALL links in our national transportation chain and we have a responsibility to make sure that each and every link is secured with adequate resources," Rahall said.
 
In addition, the legislation addresses America's needs for greater border intelligence capability. This legislation will deploy both Customs and Border Protection and Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers to border state fusion centers where they will generate border-related intelligence relevant to the local policing communities in those states. These fusion centers will not only involve the officers in the intelligence process on a daily basis, but will also help those officers build relationships across every level of discipline of government and the private sector. As regions like southern West Virginia many times lack the financial resources with which to carry out these important objectives, this important legislation authorizes funding for a program to detail officers and intelligence analysts to state fusion centers by defraying the costs associated.
 
Finally, the bill also includes a number of provisions to curtail threats involving weapons of mass destruction, including improving U.S. non-proliferation program, and creating a U.S. Coordinator for the Prevention of WMD Proliferation and Terrorism and a blue-ribbon commission to recommend further reforms. In addition, the bill also includes several provisions on strategies to bridge understanding, including enhancing the International Arab and Muslim Youth Opportunity Fund, which provides assistance for expanding modern educational programs for Arab and other Muslim youth around the world and providing for the establishment of a Middle East Foundation, to promote economic opportunities, education reform, human rights, and democratic processes in the countries of the Middle East.
 
"Homeland security starts in our hometowns, but it certainly doesn't end here," Rahall said.
 
The implementation the 9/11 Commission's recommendations is supported by the majority of Americans, according to a recent Gallup Poll. It is also supported by several bipartisan and nonpartisan groups, including such groups representing 9/11 families as the Voices of September 11th and Families of September 11.