[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 114 (Wednesday, September 11, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1550]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     HOMELAND SECURITY ACT OF 2002

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 26, 2002

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 5005) to 
     establish the Department of Homeland Security, and for other 
     purposes:

  Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, as a member of the United 
States House of Representatives representing New York City, I am deeply 
aware of the profound responsibility that was thrust upon this 
government last September 11th. It is our responsibility, our most 
important responsibility, to keep the American people safe from 
terrorism and violence. We were not prepared last fall. We should never 
be caught unprepared again.
  Addressing this, on June 6, 2002, President Bush called for the 
creation of a permanent, cabinet-level department of homeland security. 
Even before the President's announcement, we as a nation have been 
struggling to figure out new ways to improve the nation's safety.
  Throughout the debate about the creation of this new department, I 
have been skeptical that this may just be an exercise in moving boxes 
around on an organization chart. After examining the bill and listening 
to my colleagues both on the floor today and during the Government 
Reform Committee hearings and markup, I believe that H.R. 5005 should 
be passed by the House.
  As you know, H.R. 5005, the Homeland Security Act of 2002, 
establishes a Department of Homeland Security as an executive 
department of the United States headed by a Secretary of Homeland 
Security who shall be appointed by the President, with the consent of 
the Senate. The legislation consolidated 22 federal agencies into one 
new Department responsible for intelligence analysis and dissemination, 
science and technology, border and transportation security, and 
emergency preparedness and response. The new department will also have 
an office of civil rights and liberties, critical to ensuring that the 
government does not overstep its boundaries. I am hopeful that this 
legislation will provide the framework for law enforcement, 
intelligence, health, and other first-line agencies to work together to 
defend our great nation.
  I am disappointed that H.R. 5005 does not include an amendment that I 
crafted that passed unanimously in the Government Reform Committee. 
Learned from past lessons, the amendment fixed current problems in our 
response system and would have allowed future sites of attacks to cut 
through red tape and bureaucracy and receive disaster relief right 
away.
  I am very concerned that the final product includes troubling 
provisions that weaken civil service protections for the new 
Department's employees, undermine Freedom of Information Act 
compliance, and disregard the need for accountability for corporations 
that contract with the agency. I strongly encourage the Senate to 
correct these flaws.
  During this time in American history, we public servants must accept 
the responsibility before us. The President of the United States has 
said a Department of Homeland Security is necessary to improve our 
nation's security. I agree with him.
  We have to do everything we can to prevent a tragedy like 9/11. We 
have to make sure we can respond as quickly as possible to future 
attacks. I hope and pray this new department will do this. I hope and 
pray we can avoid what my great city has had to live through.
  Because of these lessons learned, I urge my colleagues to vote yes on 
final passage.

                          ____________________