[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 49 (Thursday, April 21, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E729-E730]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      9/11 CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 21, 2005

  Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing the 9/11 Can You 
Hear Me Now Act with Representatives Chris Shays of Connecticut, 
Anthony Weiner, Major Owens, and  Carolyn McCarthy of New York.
  The attacks on the World Trade Center in 1993 and on September 11, 
2001, exposed serious communication problems for the New York City Fire 
Department, FDNY. Since these attacks, there have been major efforts to 
improve the FDNY's communication system, but much more needs to be 
done.
  As we all know New York City is repeatedly mentioned as a top 
terrorist target and the lack of a fully-functional communications 
system is a threat not only to FDNY and New York residents lives, but 
also to all those who visit there.
  The terrorist attacks were not just attacks on New York City, but on 
the Nation. With New York as a continuing top terrorist target, the 
protection of New York City is becoming a national responsibility. 
Other cities with tall buildings throughout the country face the same 
challenges with their communication systems and will need the same 
upgrades. Improvements in New York will lay the groundwork for 
improvements to communications systems across the country.
  Recognizing this need, the 9/11 Can You Hear Me Now Act instructs the 
Department of Homeland Security, DHS, to provide the FDNY with a 
communication system that must be capable of operating in all locations 
and under the circumstances we know firefighters face and will continue 
to face when responding to an emergency in New York City.
  This bill would require a communication system that includes three 
components--radios,

[[Page E730]]

dispatch system and a supplemental communication device. It would 
require it to work in all buildings and in all parts of the city, 
something that the radios, unbelievably, do not now do. The 
supplemental communication device would allow firefighters to transmit 
an audible emergency distress signal when a firefighter is in need of 
immediate assistance, and DHS would work with the city of New York in 
their planned upgrades of the emergency 911 system and any 
interoperability initiatives with other public safety communication 
systems.
  I urge all of my colleagues to support this important legislation.

                          ____________________