[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 21 (Wednesday, February 5, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1994-S1996]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. LEAHY (for himself, Mr. Daschle, and Mr. Reid):
  S. 315. A bill to support first responders to protect homeland 
security and prevent and respond to acts of terrorism; to the Committee 
on the Judiciary.
  Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce the First 
Responders Partnership Grant Act of 2003. I thank the Democratic 
Leader, Senator Daschle, and Assistant Democratic Leader, Senator Reid, 
for joining me as original cosponsors of this legislation that will 
supply our nation's first responders with the support they so 
desperately need to protect homeland security and prevent and respond 
to acts of terrorism.
  I want to begin by thanking each of our Nation's brave firefighters, 
emergency rescuers, law enforcement officers, and other first responder 
personnel for the jobs they do for the American public day in and day 
out. Our public safety officers are often the first to respond to any 
crime or emergency situation. On September 11, the Nation saw that the 
first on the scene at the World Trade Center were the heroic 
firefighters, police officers and emergency personnel of New York City. 
These real-life heroes, many of whom gave the ultimate sacrifice, 
remind us of how important it is to support our State and local public 
safety partners.
  But while we ask our Nation's first responders to defend us as never 
before on the front lines against the dark menace of domestic 
terrorism, we have failed to supply them with the Federal support they 
need and deserve to protect us, as we expect and need them to protect 
us.
  Since March 12, 2002, the Federal Homeland Security Advisory System 
has kept State and local first responders on Yellow Alert, an 
``elevated'' threat level declared when there is a significant risk of 
terrorist attacks, requiring increased surveillance of critical 
locations. On top of this, from September 10 to September 24 last year, 
Attorney General Ashcroft declared our country at Orange Threat level, 
a ``high'' condition indicating a high probability of a terrorist 
attack and when additional precautions by first responders are 
necessary at public events. Only hours ago, in fact, counterterrorism 
officials warned that the threat of terrorist attacks on U.S. soil is 
at a higher level than in previous months due to the possibility of 
impending military action against Iraq. Debate has already begun at the 
new Department of Homeland Defense on whether to put out an alert 
warning or to actually raise the national threat level to Orange again.
  Counties, cities and towns in my home state of Vermont and across the 
U.S. find themselves overwhelmed by increasing homeland security costs 
required by the Federal government. Indeed, the National Governors 
Association estimates that states incurred around $7 billion in 
security costs over the past year alone. As a result, the national 
threat alerts and other Federal homeland security requirements have 
become unfunded Federal mandates on our State and local governments. 
Rutland County Sheriff R.J. Elrick, President of the Vermont Sheriffs' 
Association, recently wrote to me, ``We are in dire need of financial 
support to keep our personnel trained and equipped to meet the 
challenges here at home as we continue our vigilant commitment to fight 
terrorism.''
  I will ask unanimous consent to place after my remarks in the Record 
the letter from the Vermont Sheriffs' Association, as well as letters 
from the Professional Firefighters of Vermont, the Vermont Ambulance 
Association, and the Vermont Association of Police Chiefs, and Chief 
Doug Hoyt of Montpelier, Chief Anthony Bossi of Rutland City, Chief 
David Demag of Essex, and Chief Jeffery Whitesell of Winhall.
  When terrorists strike, first responders are and will always be the 
first people we turn to for help. We place our lives and the lives of 
our families and friends in the hands of these officers, trusting that 
when called upon they will protect and save us.
  Just how, without supplying them with the necessary resources, do we 
expect our Nation's first responders to realistically carry out their 
duties?
  Our State and local law enforcement officers, firefighters and 
emergency personnel are full partners in preventing, investigating and 
responding to terrorist acts. They need and deserve the full 
collaboration of the Federal government to meet these new national 
responsibilities.
  Washington is buzzing about the literally hundreds of billions of 
additional dollars the President plans to ask Congress to provide for 
our military services to fight the war on terrorism abroad. The same 
cannot be said for helping security here at home, which is shamefully 
overlooked. For a year and a half I have been working hard to remedy 
that, with allies like our distinguished Democratic Leader and 
Assistant Democratic Leader, and New York Senators Schumer and Clinton. 
As former chair and now ranking member of the Judiciary Committee, I 
have made it a high priority to evaluate and meet the needs of our 
first responders.
  For these reasons, I am proud to introduce the First Responders 
Partnership Grant Act to give our nation's law enforcement officers, 
firefighters and emergency personnel the resources they need to do 
their jobs. Our legislation will establish a grant program at the 
Department of Justice to provide $4 billion nationwide in annual 
Federal funds to support State and local public safety officers in 
their efforts to protect homeland security and prevent and respond to 
acts of terrorism.
  Similar to the highly successful Department of Justice Community 
Oriented Policing Services and the Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant 
Programs, the First Responder Grants will be made directly to State and 
local government units for overtime, equipment, training and facility 
expenses to support our law enforcement officers, firefighters and 
emergency personnel.
  The First Responder Grants may be used to pay up to 90 percent of the 
cost of the overtime, equipment, training or facility. In cases of 
fiscal hardship, the Justice Department can waive the local match 
requirement of 10 percent to provide federal funds for communities that 
cannot afford the local match.

[[Page S1995]]

  In a world shaped by the violent events of September 11, day after 
day we call upon our public safety officers to remain vigilant. We not 
only ask them to put their lives at risk in the line of duty, but also, 
if need be, give their lives to protect us.
  If we take time to listen to our Nation's State and local public 
safety partners, they will tell us that they welcome the challenge to 
join in our national mission to protect our homeland security. But we 
cannot ask our firefighters, emergency personnel, and law enforcement 
officers to assume these new national responsibilities without also 
providing new federal support.
  The First Responders Partnership Grant Program will provide the 
necessary federal support for our state and public safety officers to 
serve as full partners in the fight to protect our homeland security. 
We need our first responders for the security and the life-saving help 
they bring to our communities. All they ask is for the tools they need 
to do their jobs for us. And for the sake of our own security, that is 
not too much to ask.
  I ask unanimous consent that the letters I referred to be printed in 
the Record.
  There being no objection, the letters was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

                                                    Rutland County


                                         Sheriff's Department,

                                    Rutland, VT, January 31, 2003.
     Senator Patrick Leahy,
     U.S. Senate, Dirksen Office Building, Washington, DC.
       Senator Leahy: I am responding on behalf of the Vermont 
     Sheriffs' Association, having reviewed your current proposed 
     bill entitled, ``First Responders Partnership Grant 
     Program''.
       The Vermont Sheriffs have unanimously voted to endorse your 
     proposed bill as written. As you know all too well, we are 
     being asked to perform on the front lines at a level never 
     before seen, and with fewer resources at the local level. We 
     are in dire need of financial support to keep our personnel 
     trained and equipped to meet the challenges here at home as 
     we continue our vigilant commitment to fight terrorism.
       Your continued commitment to the men and women in the 
     trenches is applauded and appreciated. We remain supportive 
     of your efforts and look forward to hearing more as the bill 
     progresses in Congress.
           Sincerely,

                                                  R.J. Elrick,

                                                          Sheriff,
     President--Vermont Sheriffs' Association.
                                  ____

                                         Professional Firefighters


                                                   of Vermont,

                           White River Jct., VT, January 17, 2003.
     Hon. Patrick Leahy,
     Federal Building,
     Montpelier, VT.
       Dear Senator Leahy: I am writing to express my support for 
     the proposed First Responder Partnership Grant Act of 2003.
       As you are well aware it is the local public safety 
     officers who are our Nations first line of defense whenever 
     tragedy strikes. Since we are this vital link in protecting 
     homeland security it is extremely important that we have the 
     resources needed to safely complete this task. The First 
     Responders Grant Act provides the financial assistance that 
     local public safety officers need so greatly.
       In closing I wish to thank you for your efforts, and once 
     again express my support and gratitude for the First 
     Responders Grant Act of 2003. If I can be of any further 
     assistance please feel free to contact me.
           Sincerely,
                                                     Steven Locke,
     President.
                                  ____



                                Vermont Ambulance Association,

                                    Rutland, VT, January 29, 2003.
     Hon. Patrick Leahy,
     U.S. Senate, Russell Building,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Senator Leahy: The Vermont Ambulance Association and 
     it's membership strongly support The First Responders 
     Partnership Grant Act to be introduced in the United States 
     Senate.
       This legislation will bring much needed dollars into local 
     emergency response systems to be better prepared to respond 
     to acts of terrorism and serve our communities in homeland 
     security. We very much appreciate your support of Emergency 
     Services. Particularly important in this bill is the fact 
     that it recognizes there are multiple types of public and 
     private departments and services that protect and serve 
     communities and they all will be eligible for funding.
       Again, we support and thank you for your commitment to 
     Vermont's Emergency Services and to the safety and security 
     of the citizens we serve.
           Sincerely,
                                                  James A. Finger,
     President V.A.A.
                                  ____

                                            Vermont Association of


                                             Chiefs of Police,

                                                 January 31, 2003.
     Senator Patrick J. Leahy,
     Russell Senate Office Building,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Senator Leahy:  Having been informed of ``The Leahy 
     First Responders Partnership Grant Act'', I would like you to 
     know that Vermont Chief's of Police Association 
     wholeheartedly supports the concept. Public safety officials 
     throughout the nation have been required to address a whole 
     new set of issues since September 11, 2001. These issues have 
     required the need for new training, changes in priorities and 
     thoughts towards security and safety of first responders, 
     often without the addition of any new resources. A grant 
     program of this nature will greatly enhance the ability of 
     law enforcement, and other first responders, to continue to 
     pursue their individual missions and to preserve the 
     individual freedom and security that everyone deserves.
       I must add that I feel that it would be beneficial to 
     afford local entities the opportunity to apply directly to 
     the government for these grants due to the fact each entity 
     would have the best knowledge of what their individual needs 
     are.
       If the Vermont Association of Chiefs of Police can be of 
     any assistance in this endeavor, please feel free to contact 
     me at anytime.
           Sincerely,
                                              Brett R. Van Noordt,
     President.
                                  ____



                                 Montpelier Police Department,

                                 Montpelier, VT, January 22, 2003.
     Hon. Patrick J. Leahy,
     U.S. Senate,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Senator Leahy: Thank you for your staff's notification 
     of the First Responder Partnership Grant Program For Public 
     Safety Officers. Jessica has been very helpful in providing 
     details of your introduction of this legislation.
       I know that you are keenly aware of the need for local 
     government to be able to access funding in the area of 
     homeland security. Montpelier as well as select larger 
     communities based on location and function have greater 
     responsibilities in this new age of defense. At the same time 
     the State of Vermont is no different from many other states 
     in the country that are experiencing critical financial 
     decisions to meet the ``normal'' demands of government. 
     Shouldering the burden for national defense only adds to the 
     critical needs.
       The current administration cannot realistically believe 
     that a DOJ funding program that goes to the State of Vermont 
     which result in a trickle of $3,000 to the Montpelier Police 
     Department for a radio actually meets the response needs for 
     government in the Capital City of Vermont.
       In support of this legislative initiative I would encourage 
     your office to advocate strongly for the local units of 
     government to have a larger role and voice in the 
     distribution of these funds. In Vermont, as you well know, 
     the State Government generally controls what occurs on the 
     local level and the temptation with such a large amount of 
     money is too great to have local communities excluded.
       Again, thank you for your efforts and those of your staff 
     on behalf of law enforcement and the City of Montpelier. It 
     is always a pleasure when I call your office. I hope to be in 
     the Washington area between March 29 and April 1 and hope 
     that I will be able to stop and visit and perhaps we can talk 
     about this and other matters important to Montpelier and the 
     State of Vermont.
           Sincerely,
                                                  Douglas S. Hoyt,
     Chief of Police.
                                  ____



                                    Rutland Police Department,

                                    Rutland, VT, January 30, 2003.
     Hon. Patrick Leahy,
     U.S. Senate,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Senator Leahy: As the Chief of Policy of The City of 
     Rutland, Vermont and the immediate past president of the 
     Vermont Association of Chiefs of Police I am writing this 
     letter to support your efforts to introduce and pass the 
     ``First Responders Partnership Grant Act of 2003.''
       This grant program will help us at a local level to be able 
     to have the resources we need to do our jobs in protecting 
     the citizens of Rutland and Vermont.
       Thank you for your strong support of Law Enforcement and 
     everything you have done for Rutland Police Department. As 
     always please feel free to contact me if there is anything 
     more I can do to help you.
           Sincerely,
                                                 Anthony L. Bossi,
     Chief of Police.
                                  ____



                                      Essex Police Department,

                             Essex Junction, VT, January 23, 2003.
     Senator Patrick J. Leahy,
     Russell Senate Office Building, Washington, DC.
       Dear Senator Leahy: Having been informed of ``The Leahy 
     First Responders Partnership Grant Act'', I would like you to 
     know that I wholeheartedly support the concept. Public safety 
     officials throughout the nation have been required to address 
     a whole new set of issues since September 11, 2001. These 
     issues have required the need for new training, changes in 
     priorities and thoughts towards security and safety of first 
     responders, often without the addition of any new resources. 
     A grant program of this nature will greatly enhance the 
     ability of law enforcement, and other first responders, to 
     continue to pursue their individual missions

[[Page S1996]]

     and to preserve the individual freedom and security that 
     everyone deserves.
       I must add that I feel that it would be beneficial to 
     afford local entities the opportunity to apply directly to 
     the government for these grants due to the fact each entity 
     would have the best knowledge of what their individual needs 
     are.
       If I can be of any assistance in the endeavor, please feel 
     free to contact me at anytime.
           Sincerely,
                                                   David E. Demag,
     Chief of Police.
                                  ____



                                      Winhall Police & Rescue,

                                  Bondville, VT, January 22, 2003.
     Senator Patrick Leahy,
     U.S. Senate,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Senator: I have read and understand the ``Leahy First 
     Responders Partnership Grant Program.'' The legislation as 
     proposed will greatly assist local and state agencies combat 
     terrorism and educate our citizens. I am in support of this 
     legislative initiative. Local first responders are a very 
     valuable entity in this war on terrorism. Thank you for not 
     forgetting us.
           Sincerely,
                                             Jeffery L. Whitesell,
                                         Chief of Police & Rescue.
                                 ______