[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 85 (Friday, June 18, 2004)]
[House]
[Pages H4562-H4563]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  SMART SECURITY AND FIRST RESPONDERS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentlewoman from California (Ms. Woolsey) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, today I want to talk about a group of 
Americans that we do not always take the time to recognize, our 
Nation's first responders.
  This group of brave men and women are our first line of defense 
against terrorist attacks and disasters. They are our dedicated 
firefighters, police, emergency technicians, and health care workers 
who are the first on the scene when disaster strikes.
  First responders work around the clock to protect their communities. 
Unlike most working folks, they are always on call in case of 
emergency. In fact, many of these dedicated individuals died in the 
World Trade Center on September 11 because response was so effective 
they arrived at the scene and were scattered throughout the buildings 
when the buildings collapsed.
  As we know, disaster requires the highest level of cooperation 
between different agencies, meaning the difference between lives lost 
and lives saved. Because conditions during major disasters are 
unpredictable, Mr. Speaker, first responders require the most advanced 
equipment to ensure that they are well protected: equipment including 
self-contained breathing units, protective clothing for hazardous 
situation, interoperable radio units so different groups and 
communities can communicate during a crisis, thermal imaging units so 
we can determine if people are stuck in buildings or trapped under 
falling debris, and trained, available health care workers and 
technicians adequately supplied with vaccines, medicines and 
provisions.
  One would think that in a post-September 11 world, Congress would 
fully fund these response efforts; but that is simply not happening. In 
fact, the homeland security appropriations bill that came before this 
House today actually reduces funds for first responders.
  Despite the majority party's rhetoric, their rhetoric of supporting 
first responders, most Republicans fully supported President Bush's 
2005 budget proposal which would cut $800 million in grants to first 
responders. Talk about misplaced priorities. We are spending $5 billion 
every month for the war in Iraq, but cannot find the funds to provide 
$3 billion this year for our first responders in the homeland security 
bill; $3 billion is the amount needed to fully fund the programs that 
are necessary to keep them safe.
  These are people who safeguard our most precious landmarks like the 
Capitol Building and the Golden Gate Bridge. Clearly our budget 
priorities are way out of whack when we cannot provide for those who 
selflessly protect their communities every single day. This, I believe, 
is travesty.
  Every year we lose an average of 100 first responders to terrorist 
incidents and disasters. With better equipment,

[[Page H4563]]

more detailed interagency coordination, and more frequent practice 
exercises to prepare first responders for the real thing, many of these 
deaths could be prevented. But this requires adequate funding.
  Mr. Speaker, there has to be a better way, a more intelligent way, a 
way to prevent the needless deaths of the men and women who are our 
first line of defense. And there is. I have introduced H. Con. Res. 
392, legislation to create a SMART security platform for the 21st 
century. SMART stand for Sensible Multi-lateral American Response to 
Terrorism.
  Instead of spending billions on new bunker buster nuclear weapons and 
the President's beloved missile defense system, which would not provide 
an effective defense against a full frontal missile attack, SMART 
security calls for stronger and smarter investment abroad in 
peacekeeping and conflict prevention programs, and at home a homeland 
security program that provides first responders with the equipment and 
tools they need to provide security to their community.
  SMART security means supplying adequate funds for first responders. 
We should be providing them with the exact equipment they need, the 
exact equipment and tools they are requesting. The Bush doctrine of 
misplaced priorities has been tried, and it has failed miserably. It is 
time for a new national security strategy.
  SMART security defends America by relying on the very best of 
America, including the brave men and women who offer their time, their 
bravery, sometimes their very lives, to provide the first line of 
defense in times of catastrophe. Being smart about our Nation's 
security means recognizing that real security starts at home with our 
first responders.

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