[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 121 (Thursday, July 26, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1633]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             REINTRODUCTION OF 9/11 CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 26, 2007

  Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Madam Speaker, today, along with 
Representatives Shays and Weiner, I am reintroducing the ``9/11 Can You 
Hear Me Now Act.''
  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. There can be no doubt that New York is 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 protection of New York City has become 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.
  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, dispatch system and a supplemental communication 
device. It would require it to work in all buildings and in all parts 
of the city. 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.

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