[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 65 (Tuesday, May 17, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E998-E999]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          FASTER AND SMARTER FUNDING FOR FIRST RESPONDERS ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                            HON. IKE SKELTON

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 12, 2005

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 1544) to 
     provide faster and smarter funding for first responders, and 
     for other purposes:

  Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, H.R. 1544, the Faster and Smarter Funding 
for First Responders Act is critically important for the entire 
country, but it is also good for rural America. I am pleased to share 
my support for this bill, which streamlines and prioritizes homeland 
security spending and should result in better stewardship of America's 
tax dollars committed to public safety.
  Last year, the 9/11 Commission made clear to Congress that homeland 
security assistance should be based strictly on an assessment of risks 
and vulnerabilities.

[[Page E999]]

  H.R. 1544 fulfills the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission by 
providing priority assistance to first responders facing the greatest 
threat; by streamlining terrorism preparedness grants; and by requiring 
specific, flexible, and measurable goals for State and local government 
terrorism preparedness.
  As a member of the Congressional Rural Caucus, I am especially 
interested in how rural areas will be treated under this legislation.
  Currently, rural America does not receive its fair share when it 
comes to the distribution of homeland security funds. H.R. 1544 will 
ensure that rural Americans have a seat at the table when federal 
spending decisions are made. For the first time, tax dollars will be 
distributed to first responders based on risk, regardless of whether 
the potential dangers are in urban, suburban, or rural communities.
  Under this legislation, each State shall develop a 3-year Homeland 
Security Plan. The State must solicit comments from local and county 
governments--including those in rural areas--and evaluate risk factors, 
threats, populations, and all critical infrastructure. Risks to 
Missouri's Fourth Congressional District might include agriculture and 
agribusiness, natural gas pipelines, Bagnell Dam, Truman Dam, the Lake 
of the Ozarks, and the Missouri River, among others.
  H.R. 1544 allows for rural Missourians to prevent, prepare for, and 
respond to future terrorist attacks under a risk-based formula. 
Additionally, this measure maintains a State minimum for funding to 
ensure that each State can reach at least a minimal level of 
preparedness.
  Mr. Chairman, H.R. 1544 is supported by every major first responder 
organization and by the State of Missouri. I urge my colleagues to vote 
in favor of this important, risk-based legislation.

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