[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 35 (Thursday, March 1, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E434]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 H.R. 884--PROMOTING ANTITERRORISM COOPERATION THROUGH TECHNOLOGY AND 
                              SCIENCE ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. JAMES R. LANGEVIN

                            of rhode island

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 27, 2007

  Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I join my colleagues today in support of 
H.R. 884, the ``Promoting Antiterrorism Cooperation through Technology 
and Science Act.''
  While touring the northeast United States in 1955, President 
Eisenhower spoke of the importance of international diplomacy and 
cooperation to solve the rising problems posed by communism in the Far 
East. It was Eisenhower who said ``Only strength can cooperate. 
Weakness can only beg.'' Just as Eisenhower envisioned the role of 
international cooperation to address the communist threat in the 20th 
century, so too must we solicit international cooperation to solve the 
terrorism threat in the 21st century.
  The United States must embrace the concept of bilateral cooperation 
in order to win the war on terrorism, and I believe that this bill is 
an important step in that direction. H.R. 884 will establish a Science 
and Technology Homeland Security International Cooperative Programs 
Office to facilitate international cooperative activities throughout 
the Directorate of Science and Technology.
  This legislation does not seek to duplicate other efforts underway. 
Rather, it will strengthen ongoing partnerships with homeland security 
allies such as Israel, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and 
Singapore, while encouraging new ones. The United States currently 
participates in similar bilateral programs such as the Binational 
Industrial Research and Development, or BIRD foundation, in which the 
United States and Israel cooperate on defense-related R&D. The office 
would conduct similar activities, but would be run by the Department of 
Homeland Security rather than a private foundation.
  This office within the Department of Homeland Security will foster 
partnerships with foreign governments and businesses by requiring that 
the foreign partner equitably match U.S. funding expended through 
direct funding or funding of complementary activities, or through 
provision of staff, facilities, material, or equipment.
  This country has a proud history of recognizing the value of and 
promoting international cooperation, particularly in the field of 
technology. I am pleased to be an original cosponsor of this bipartisan 
legislation, and encourage my colleagues to support H.R. 884.

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