[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 161 (Tuesday, October 23, 2007)]
[House]
[Pages H11854-H11862]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 VIOLENT RADICALIZATION AND HOMEGROWN TERRORISM PREVENTION ACT OF 2007

  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the 
rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1955) to prevent homegrown terrorism, and 
for other purposes, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 1955

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Violent Radicalization and 
     Homegrown Terrorism Prevention Act of 2007''.

     SEC. 2. PREVENTION OF VIOLENT RADICALIZATION AND HOMEGROWN 
                   TERRORISM.

       (a) In General.--Title VIII of the Homeland Security Act of 
     2002 (6 U.S.C. 361 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end 
     the following new subtitle:

   ``Subtitle J--Prevention of Violent Radicalization and Homegrown 
                               Terrorism

     ``SEC. 899A. DEFINITIONS.

       ``For purposes of this subtitle:
       ``(1) Commission.--The term `Commission' means the National 
     Commission on the Prevention of Violent Radicalization and 
     Homegrown Terrorism established under section 899C.
       ``(2) Violent radicalization.--The term `violent 
     radicalization' means the process of adopting or promoting an 
     extremist belief system for the purpose of facilitating 
     ideologically based violence to advance political, religious, 
     or social change.
       ``(3) Homegrown terrorism.--The term `homegrown terrorism' 
     means the use, planned use, or threatened use, of force or 
     violence by a group or individual born, raised, or based and 
     operating primarily within the United States or any 
     possession of the

[[Page H11855]]

     United States to intimidate or coerce the United States 
     government, the civilian population of the United States, or 
     any segment thereof, in furtherance of political or social 
     objectives.
       ``(4) Ideologically based violence.--The term 
     `ideologically based violence' means the use, planned use, or 
     threatened use of force or violence by a group or individual 
     to promote the group or individual's political, religious, or 
     social beliefs.

     ``SEC. 899B. FINDINGS.

       ``The Congress finds the following:
       ``(1) The development and implementation of methods and 
     processes that can be utilized to prevent violent 
     radicalization, homegrown terrorism, and ideologically based 
     violence in the United States is critical to combating 
     domestic terrorism.
       ``(2) The promotion of violent radicalization, homegrown 
     terrorism, and ideologically based violence exists in the 
     United States and poses a threat to homeland security.
       ``(3) The Internet has aided in facilitating violent 
     radicalization, ideologically based violence, and the 
     homegrown terrorism process in the United States by providing 
     access to broad and constant streams of terrorist-related 
     propaganda to United States citizens.
       ``(4) While the United States must continue its vigilant 
     efforts to combat international terrorism, it must also 
     strengthen efforts to combat the threat posed by homegrown 
     terrorists based and operating within the United States.
       ``(5) Understanding the motivational factors that lead to 
     violent radicalization, homegrown terrorism, and 
     ideologically based violence is a vital step toward 
     eradicating these threats in the United States.
       ``(6) Preventing the potential rise of self radicalized, 
     unaffiliated terrorists domestically cannot be easily 
     accomplished solely through traditional Federal intelligence 
     or law enforcement efforts, and can benefit from the 
     incorporation of State and local efforts.
       ``(7) Individuals prone to violent radicalization, 
     homegrown terrorism, and ideologically based violence span 
     all races, ethnicities, and religious beliefs, and 
     individuals should not be targeted based solely on race, 
     ethnicity, or religion.
       ``(8) Any measure taken to prevent violent radicalization, 
     homegrown terrorism, and ideologically based violence and 
     homegrown terrorism in the United States should not violate 
     the constitutional rights, civil rights, or civil liberties 
     of United States citizens or lawful permanent residents.
       ``(9) Certain governments, including the United Kingdom, 
     Canada, and Australia have significant experience with 
     homegrown terrorism and the United States can benefit from 
     lessons learned by those nations.

     ``SEC. 899C. NATIONAL COMMISSION ON THE PREVENTION OF VIOLENT 
                   RADICALIZATION AND IDEOLOGICALLY BASED 
                   VIOLENCE.

       ``(a) Establishment.--There is established within the 
     legislative branch of the Government the National Commission 
     on the Prevention of Violent Radicalization and Homegrown 
     Terrorism.
       ``(b) Purpose.--The purposes of the Commission are the 
     following:
       ``(1) Examine and report upon the facts and causes of 
     violent radicalization, homegrown terrorism, and 
     ideologically based violence in the United States, including 
     United States connections to non-United States persons and 
     networks, violent radicalization, homegrown terrorism, and 
     ideologically based violence in prison, individual or `lone 
     wolf' violent radicalization, homegrown terrorism, and 
     ideologically based violence, and other faces of the 
     phenomena of violent radicalization, homegrown terrorism, and 
     ideologically based violence that the Commission considers 
     important.
       ``(2) Build upon and bring together the work of other 
     entities and avoid unnecessary duplication, by reviewing the 
     findings, conclusions, and recommendations of--
       ``(A) the Center of Excellence established or designated 
     under section 899D, and other academic work, as appropriate;
       ``(B) Federal, State, local, or tribal studies of, reviews 
     of, and experiences with violent radicalization, homegrown 
     terrorism, and ideologically based violence; and
       ``(C) foreign government studies of, reviews of, and 
     experiences with violent radicalization, homegrown terrorism, 
     and ideologically based violence.
       ``(c) Composition of Commission.--The Commission shall be 
     composed of 10 members appointed for the life of the 
     Commission, of whom--
       ``(1) one member shall be appointed by the President from 
     among officers or employees of the executive branch and 
     private citizens of the United States;
       ``(2) one member shall be appointed by the Secretary;
       ``(3) one member shall be appointed by the majority leader 
     of the Senate;
       ``(4) one member shall be appointed by the minority leader 
     of the Senate;
       ``(5) one member shall be appointed by the Speaker of the 
     House of Representatives;
       ``(6) one member shall be appointed by the minority leader 
     of the House of Representatives;
       ``(7) one member shall be appointed by the Chairman of the 
     Committee on Homeland Security of the House of 
     Representatives;
       ``(8) one member shall be appointed by the ranking minority 
     member of the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of 
     Representatives;
       ``(9) one member shall be appointed by the Chairman of the 
     Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of 
     the Senate; and
       ``(10) one member shall be appointed by the ranking 
     minority member of the Committee on Homeland Security and 
     Governmental Affairs of the Senate.
       ``(d) Chair and Vice Chair.--The Commission shall elect a 
     Chair and a Vice Chair from among its members.
       ``(e) Qualifications.--Individuals shall be selected for 
     appointment to the Commission solely on the basis of their 
     professional qualifications, achievements, public stature, 
     experience, and expertise in relevant fields, including, but 
     not limited to, behavioral science, constitutional law, 
     corrections, counterterrorism, cultural anthropology, 
     education, information technology, intelligence, juvenile 
     justice, local law enforcement, organized crime, Islam and 
     other world religions, sociology, or terrorism.
       ``(f) Deadline for Appointment.--All members of the 
     Commission shall be appointed no later than 60 days after the 
     date of enactment of this subtitle.
       ``(g) Quorum and Meetings.--The Commission shall meet and 
     begin the operations of the Commission not later than 30 days 
     after the date on which all members have been appointed or, 
     if such meeting cannot be mutually agreed upon, on a date 
     designated by the Speaker of the House of Representatives. 
     Each subsequent meeting shall occur upon the call of the 
     Chair or a majority of its members. A majority of the members 
     of the Commission shall constitute a quorum, but a lesser 
     number may hold meetings.
       ``(h) Authority of Individuals to Act for Commission.--Any 
     member of the Commission may, if authorized by the 
     Commission, take any action that the Commission is authorized 
     to take under this Act.
       ``(i) Powers of Commission.--The powers of the Commission 
     shall be as follows:
       ``(1) In general.--
       ``(A) Hearings and evidence.--The Commission or, on the 
     authority of the Commission, any subcommittee or member 
     thereof, may, for the purpose of carrying out this section, 
     hold hearings and sit and act at such times and places, take 
     such testimony, receive such evidence, and administer such 
     oaths as the Commission considers advisable to carry out its 
     duties.
       ``(B) Contracting.--The Commission may, to such extent and 
     in such amounts as are provided in appropriation Acts, enter 
     into contracts to enable the Commission to discharge its 
     duties under this section.
       ``(2) Information from federal agencies.--
       ``(A) In general.--The Commission may request directly from 
     any executive department, bureau, agency, board, commission, 
     office, independent establishment, or instrumentality of the 
     Government, information, suggestions, estimates, and 
     statistics for the purposes of this section. The head of each 
     such department, bureau, agency, board, commission, office, 
     independent establishment, or instrumentality shall, to the 
     extent practicable and authorized by law, furnish such 
     information, suggestions, estimates, and statistics directly 
     to the Commission, upon request made by the Chair of the 
     Commission, by the chair of any subcommittee created by a 
     majority of the Commission, or by any member designated by a 
     majority of the Commission.
       ``(B) Receipt, handling, storage, and dissemination.--The 
     Committee and its staff shall receive, handle, store, and 
     disseminate information in a manner consistent with the 
     operative statutes, regulations, and Executive orders that 
     govern the handling, storage, and dissemination of such 
     information at the department, bureau, agency, board, 
     commission, office, independent establishment, or 
     instrumentality that responds to the request.
       ``(j) Assistance From Federal Agencies.--
       ``(1) General services administration.--The Administrator 
     of General Services shall provide to the Commission on a 
     reimbursable basis administrative support and other services 
     for the performance of the Commission's functions.
       ``(2) Other departments and agencies.--In addition to the 
     assistance required under paragraph (1), departments and 
     agencies of the United States may provide to the Commission 
     such services, funds, facilities, and staff as they may 
     determine advisable and as may be authorized by law.
       ``(k) Postal Services.--The Commission may use the United 
     States mails in the same manner and under the same conditions 
     as departments and agencies of the United States.
       ``(l) Nonapplicability of Federal Advisory Committee Act.--
     The Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not 
     apply to the Commission.
       ``(m) Public Meetings.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Commission shall hold public 
     hearings and meetings to the extent appropriate.
       ``(2) Protection of information.--Any public hearings of 
     the Commission shall be conducted in a manner consistent with 
     the protection of information provided to or developed for or 
     by the Commission as required by any applicable statute, 
     regulation, or Executive order including subsection 
     (i)(2)(B).
       ``(n) Staff of Commission.--
       ``(1) Appointment and compensation.--The Chair of the 
     Commission, in consultation with the Vice Chair and in 
     accordance with

[[Page H11856]]

     rules adopted by the Commission, may appoint and fix the 
     compensation of a staff director and such other personnel as 
     may be necessary to enable the Commission to carry out its 
     functions, without regard to the provisions of title 5, 
     United States Code, governing appointments in the competitive 
     service, and without regard to the provisions of chapter 51 
     and subchapter III of chapter 53 of such title relating to 
     classification and General Schedule pay rates, except that no 
     rate of pay fixed under this subsection may exceed the 
     maximum rate of pay for GS-15 under the General Schedule.
       ``(2) Staff expertise.--Individuals shall be selected for 
     appointment as staff of the Commission on the basis of their 
     expertise in one or more of the fields referred to in 
     subsection (e).
       ``(3) Personnel as federal employees.--
       ``(A) In general.--The executive director and any employees 
     of the Commission shall be employees under section 2105 of 
     title 5, United States Code, for purposes of chapters 63, 81, 
     83, 84, 85, 87, 89, and 90 of that title.
       ``(B) Members of commission.--Subparagraph (A) shall not be 
     construed to apply to members of the Commission.
       ``(4) Detailees.--Any Federal Government employee may be 
     detailed to the Commission without reimbursement from the 
     Commission, and during such detail shall retain the rights, 
     status, and privileges of his or her regular employment 
     without interruption.
       ``(5) Consultant services.--The Commission may procure the 
     services of experts and consultants in accordance with 
     section 3109 of title 5, United States Code, but at rates not 
     to exceed the daily rate paid a person occupying a position 
     at level IV of the Executive Schedule under section 5315 of 
     title 5, United States Code.
       ``(6) Emphasis on security clearances.--The Commission 
     shall make it a priority to hire as employees and retain as 
     contractors and detailees individuals otherwise authorized by 
     this section who have active security clearances.
       ``(o) Commission Personnel Matters.--
       ``(1) Compensation of members.--Each member of the 
     Commission who is not an employee of the government shall be 
     compensated at a rate not to exceed the daily equivalent of 
     the annual rate of basic pay in effect for a position at 
     level IV of the Executive Schedule under section 5315 of 
     title 5, United States Code, for each day during which that 
     member is engaged in the actual performance of the duties of 
     the Commission.
       ``(2) Travel expenses.--While away from their homes or 
     regular places of business in the performance of services for 
     the Commission, members of the Commission shall be allowed 
     travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, 
     at rates authorized for employees of agencies under 
     subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code, 
     while away from their homes or regular places of business in 
     the performance of services for the Commission.
       ``(3) Travel on armed forces conveyances.--Members and 
     personnel of the Commission may travel on aircraft, vehicles, 
     or other conveyances of the Armed Forces of the United States 
     when such travel is necessary in the performance of a duty of 
     the Commission, unless the cost of commercial transportation 
     is less expensive.
       ``(4) Treatment of service for purposes of retirement 
     benefits.--A member of the Commission who is an annuitant 
     otherwise covered by section 8344 or 8468 of title 5, United 
     States Code, by reason of membership on the Commission shall 
     not be subject to the provisions of such section with respect 
     to membership on the Commission.
       ``(5) Vacancies.--A vacancy on the Commission shall not 
     affect its powers and shall be filled in the manner in which 
     the original appointment was made. The appointment of the 
     replacement member shall be made not later than 60 days after 
     the date on which the vacancy occurs.
       ``(p) Security Clearances.--The heads of appropriate 
     departments and agencies of the executive branch shall 
     cooperate with the Commission to expeditiously provide 
     Commission members and staff with appropriate security 
     clearances to the extent possible under applicable procedures 
     and requirements.
       ``(q) Reports.--
       ``(1) Final report.--Not later than 18 months after the 
     date on which the Commission first meets, the Commission 
     shall submit to the President and Congress a final report of 
     its findings and conclusions, legislative recommendations for 
     immediate and long-term countermeasures to violent 
     radicalization, homegrown terrorism, and ideologically based 
     violence, and measures that can be taken to prevent violent 
     radicalization, homegrown terrorism, and ideologically based 
     violence from developing and spreading within the United 
     States, and any final recommendations for any additional 
     grant programs to support these purposes. The report may also 
     be accompanied by a classified annex.
       ``(2) Interim reports.--The Commission shall submit to the 
     President and Congress--
       ``(A) by not later than 6 months after the date on which 
     the Commission first meets, a first interim report on--
       ``(i) its findings and conclusions and legislative 
     recommendations for the purposes described in paragraph (1); 
     and
       ``(ii) its recommendations on the feasibility of a grant 
     program established and administered by the Secretary for the 
     purpose of preventing, disrupting, and mitigating the effects 
     of violent radicalization, homegrown terrorism, and 
     ideologically based violence and, if such a program is 
     feasible, recommendations on how grant funds should be used 
     and administered; and
       ``(B) by not later than 6 months after the date on which 
     the Commission submits the interim report under subparagraph 
     (A), a second interim report on such matters.
       ``(3) Individual or dissenting views.--Each member of the 
     Commission may include in each report under this subsection 
     the individual additional or dissenting views of the member.
       ``(4) Public availability.--The Commission shall release a 
     public version of each report required under this subsection.
       ``(r) Availability of Funding.--Amounts made available to 
     the Commission to carry out this section shall remain 
     available until the earlier of the expenditure of the amounts 
     or the termination of the Commission.
       ``(s) Termination of Commission.--The Commission shall 
     terminate 30 days after the date on which the Commission 
     submits its final report.

     ``SEC. 899D. CENTER OF EXCELLENCE FOR THE STUDY OF VIOLENT 
                   RADICALIZATION AND HOMEGROWN TERRORISM IN THE 
                   UNITED STATES.

       ``(a) Establishment.--The Secretary of Homeland Security 
     shall establish or designate a university-based Center of 
     Excellence for the Study of Violent Radicalization and 
     Homegrown Terrorism in the United States (hereinafter 
     referred to as `Center') following the merit-review processes 
     and procedures and other limitations that have been 
     previously established for selecting and supporting 
     University Programs Centers of Excellence. The Center shall 
     assist Federal, State, local and tribal homeland security 
     officials through training, education, and research in 
     preventing violent radicalization and homegrown terrorism in 
     the United States. In carrying out this section, the 
     Secretary may choose to either create a new Center designed 
     exclusively for the purpose stated herein or identify and 
     expand an existing Department of Homeland Security Center of 
     Excellence so that a working group is exclusively designated 
     within the existing Center of Excellence to achieve the 
     purpose set forth in subsection (b).
       ``(b) Purpose.--It shall be the purpose of the Center to 
     study the social, criminal, political, psychological, and 
     economic roots of violent radicalization and homegrown 
     terrorism in the United States and methods that can be 
     utilized by Federal, State, local, and tribal homeland 
     security officials to mitigate violent radicalization and 
     homegrown terrorism.
       ``(c) Activities.--In carrying out this section, the Center 
     shall--
       ``(1) contribute to the establishment of training, written 
     materials, information, analytical assistance and 
     professional resources to aid in combating violent 
     radicalization and homegrown terrorism;
       ``(2) utilize theories, methods and data from the social 
     and behavioral sciences to better understand the origins, 
     dynamics, and social and psychological aspects of violent 
     radicalization and homegrown terrorism;
       ``(3) conduct research on the motivational factors that 
     lead to violent radicalization and homegrown terrorism; and
       ``(4) coordinate with other academic institutions studying 
     the effects of violent radicalization and homegrown terrorism 
     where appropriate.

     ``SEC. 899E. PREVENTING VIOLENT RADICALIZATION AND HOMEGROWN 
                   TERRORISM THROUGH INTERNATIONAL COOPERATIVE 
                   EFFORTS.

       ``(a) International Effort.--The Secretary shall, in 
     cooperation with the Department of State, the Attorney 
     General, and other Federal Government entities, as 
     appropriate, conduct a survey of methodologies implemented by 
     foreign nations to prevent violent radicalization and 
     homegrown terrorism in their respective nations.
       ``(b) Implementation.--To the extent that methodologies are 
     permissible under the Constitution, the Secretary shall use 
     the results of the survey as an aid in developing, in 
     consultation with the Attorney General, a national policy in 
     the United States on addressing radicalization and homegrown 
     terrorism.
       ``(c) Reports to Congress.--The Secretary shall submit a 
     report to Congress that provides--
       ``(1) a brief description of the foreign partners 
     participating in the survey; and
       ``(2) a description of lessons learned from the results of 
     the survey and recommendations implemented through this 
     international outreach.

     ``SEC. 899F. PROTECTING CIVIL RIGHTS AND CIVIL LIBERTIES 
                   WHILE PREVENTING IDEOLOGICALLY BASED VIOLENCE 
                   AND HOMEGROWN TERRORISM.

       ``(a) In General.--The Department of Homeland Security's 
     efforts to prevent ideologically based violence and homegrown 
     terrorism as described herein shall not violate the 
     constitutional rights, civil rights, or civil liberties of 
     United States citizens or lawful permanent residents.
       ``(b) Commitment to Racial Neutrality.--The Secretary shall 
     ensure that the activities and operations of the entities 
     created by this subtitle are in compliance with the 
     Department of Homeland Security's commitment to racial 
     neutrality.
       ``(c) Auditing Mechanism.--The Civil Rights and Civil 
     Liberties Officer of the Department of Homeland Security 
     shall develop and implement an auditing mechanism

[[Page H11857]]

     to ensure that compliance with this subtitle does not violate 
     the constitutional rights, civil rights, or civil liberties 
     of any racial, ethnic, or religious group, and shall include 
     the results of audits under such mechanism in its annual 
     report to Congress required under section 705.''.
       (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of contents in section 
     1(b) of such Act is amended by inserting at the end of the 
     items relating to title VIII the following:

   ``Subtitle J--Prevention of Violent Radicalization and Homegrown 
                               Terrorism

``Sec. 899A. Definitions.
``Sec. 899B. Findings.
``Sec. 899C. National Commission on the Prevention of Violent 
              Radicalization and Ideologically Based Violence.
``Sec. 899D. Center of Excellence for the Study of Violent 
              Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism in the United 
              States.
``Sec. 899E. Preventing violent radicalization and homegrown terrorism 
              through international cooperative efforts.
``Sec. 899F. Protecting civil rights and civil liberties while 
              preventing ideologically based violence and homegrown 
              terrorism.''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Mississippi (Mr. Thompson) and the gentleman from Washington (Mr. 
Reichert) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Mississippi.


                             General Leave

  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent 
that all Members have 5 legislative days within which to revise and 
extend their remarks on this bill and include therein any extraneous 
material.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Mississippi?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time 
as I may consume.
  Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 1955, the Violent 
Radicalization of Homegrown Terrorism Prevention Act of 2007.
  In May, six men were arrested for allegedly plotting to attack Fort 
Dix. Three of those men were United States citizens; the other three 
had been in the United States since they were small children. Then, 
again, in June, another four men were charged with plotting to attack 
JFK Airport by blowing up jet fuel tanks. The alleged mastermind of 
this plot was a United States citizen.
  Today, one of the most frequently visited English language Web sites 
that preaches hate, violence and radicalized views of Islam is operated 
by a 21-year-old U.S. citizen from the comfort of his parents' home in 
North Carolina. Some may say these incidents are isolated cases, but I 
believe that they are indicative of a growing trend of homegrown 
terrorism in this country.
  Homegrown terrorists no longer need to travel to Afghanistan or 
Pakistan to get support and training. They can simply go on the 
Internet to find violent propaganda and others who share their violent 
ideology. H.R. 1955 provides us with a strategy for how to address this 
very challenging Homeland Security issue. I commend Chairwoman Harman 
for authoring this important legislation and for championing this case.
  The centerpiece of this bill is the creation of a national 
commission. It is a step in the right direction. National commissions 
have a long and successful history in this country. The Gilmore 
Commission, of which our chairwoman was a member, which functioned from 
1993 to 1998, made 164 recommendations regarding the domestic response 
to terrorism. Of those 164 recommendations, all have been adopted in 
whole or in part by the Congress and the Federal Government.
  Another commission, the National Commission on Terrorism, which 
operated in the early 1990s, was on the cutting edge of the terrorism 
debate. That commission provided the Nation with the blueprint of how 
to address the threat of terrorism long before the September 11 
attacks.
  The more recent 9/11 Commission set the tenor of our administrative 
and legislative response to the September 11 attack. That commission's 
recommendations were the bedrock of legislation I offered that was 
enacted into law this summer.
  The commission established in H.R. 1955 will help build on the work 
of past commissions and help our Nation come up with strategies for new 
threats. The bill also requires our government to reach out to other 
nations that have experienced home grown terrorism. Learning from other 
nations about what works and what doesn't will better position us to 
prevent the spread of violent ideology in our country.
  The bill also creates a center of excellence to conduct research that 
is desperately needed in determining the root cause of violent 
radicalization.
  At the same time, H.R. 1955 also protects simple rights and liberties 
of U.S. citizens. The bill is mindful of Americans' right to free 
speech, freedom of association and freedom to worship. H.R. 1955 makes 
certain that individuals exercising these rights within lawful 
parameters are not singled out.
  I urge my colleagues to support this important Homeland Security bill 
and ask them to vote in favor of passage of this important legislation.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. REICHERT. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 1955, the 
Violent Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism Prevention Act of 2007.
  As the ranking member on the Homeland Security Subcommittee on 
Intelligence, I would like to commend, first of all and especially, 
Chairwoman Jane Harman, who has, as the chairman says, Mr. Thompson, 
really done a lot of work in this area and has been at the forefront of 
our intelligence community in working to protect our Nation.
  I also want to thank the full committee chairman, Mr. Thompson of 
Mississippi, for all his hard work, and our ranking member, Mr. King of 
New York, who could not be here today.
  This truly has been a bipartisan effort. It's one of those issues 
that all of us in this body recognize as so critical to the protection 
of our citizens and our country. This legislation is focused on 
addressing the issue of radicalization and homegrown terrorism. While 
terrorist recruitment and radicalization is a worldwide problem that 
must be combated globally, the United States cannot afford to simply 
focus on eliminating terrorists abroad. It is essential that we fully 
understand the future and the nature of the threat here in the United 
States from homegrown radicals.
  In the National Intelligence Estimate on the Terrorist Threat to the 
U.S. Homeland released in July of this year, the Director of National 
Intelligence and the National Intelligence Council assess, ``The spread 
of radical Internet sites, increasingly aggressive anti-U.S. rhetoric 
and actions, and the growing number of radical, self-generating cells 
in Western countries indicate that the radical and violent segment of 
the West's Muslim population is expanding, including in the United 
States. The arrest and prosecution by U.S. law enforcement of a small 
number of violent Islamic extremists inside the United States--who are 
becoming more connected ideologically, virtually, and/or in a physical 
sense to the global extremist movement--points to the possibility that 
others may become sufficiently radicalized that they will view the use 
of violence here as legitimate.''
  Because of the freedoms of our society, and the interconnected world 
we live in, radical ideas spread easily. These ideas can come from 
overseas or from within the United States. They can come from within 
prisons inside of isolated religious or ethnic enclaves or on the 
Internet. These ideas reach people in the privacy of their homes, via 
the Internet, and can be similarly assessed by vulnerable individuals 
at schools, libraries and universities.
  Unfortunately, our freedoms are being abused by individuals whose 
sole purpose is to destroy our way of life. While we have not seen 
radicalization to the extent witnessed in other Western countries like 
the United Kingdom, we have seen homegrown terrorist cells.
  Prisoners in Sacramento state prison plotted to attack Jewish and 
U.S. military targets. Radicalized individuals plotted to destroy fuel 
tanks at JFK Airport in New York and aimed to create carnage at Fort 
Dix in New Jersey.
  While clearly law enforcement and intelligence efforts are key to 
intercepting and interdicting these ideas and thoughts and efforts in 
our country, we need a strategy to ensure that

[[Page H11858]]

violent, radical ideologies are contained. Because of the nature of 
this threat, it is essential that we understand why individuals become 
radicalized and what we can do to prevent radical ideologies from 
taking hold and spreading here in the United States.
  H.R. 1955 establishes a National Commission on the Prevention of 
Violent Radicalization and Ideologically Based Violence. The commission 
incorporates aspects of H.R. 1695, the PREVENT Act, which I introduced 
earlier this year. The purpose of this national commission would be to 
proactively get ahead of the radicalization problems so that as a 
Nation we can combat these radical ideologies before they become 
widespread within our borders.
  In addition, H.R. 1955 includes provisions to help us learn from our 
international partners on how they are trying to prevent radicalization 
in their own countries. This issue is not new to many countries 
throughout the world such as the United Kingdom, and I believe it is 
critical for us to work with our international partners and learn from 
their past successes and failures.

                              {time}  1115

  Lastly, this legislation includes provisions that ensure privacy and 
civil rights are protected for all American citizens.
  Again, I would like to commend Chairman Harman and Chairman Thompson 
for working with me and Mr. King on this legislation. I urge all my 
colleagues to support this bill.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, I yield as much time as 
she may consume to the gentlelady from California (Ms. Harman), the 
chairman of the subcommittee, as well as the author of this legislation 
under consideration today.
  Ms. HARMAN. Madam Speaker, I thank my chairman for yielding to me, 
and I thank my ranking member, Mr. Reichert, for his generous remarks.
  Madam Speaker, on 9/11 we were attacked by foreigners who had come to 
this country legally. The next time and, sadly, I believe there will be 
a next time, my assumption is that many who attack us will already be 
here, and some will be U.S. citizens. Homegrown terror is a phenomenon 
many countries are scrambling to understand, including the British, as 
they are under major threat from it. Theirs is a peculiar kind with a 
large Pakistani population that is not well assimilated.
  But America has a problem too, unique in nature, and we fail to 
understand it at our peril. Far from being immune to the danger of 
homegrown terror, think Timothy McVeigh or Theodore Kaczynski, the 
threat today is infinitely greater and more likely to be influenced by 
events in the Middle East or by the larger struggle against radical 
Islam.
  What causes an individual or group to, first, coalesce around a set 
of radical principles or a charismatic leader, activities permitted by 
our Bill of Rights, but subsequently to embrace a violent agenda 
intended to inflict maximum pain and disruption on his neighbors, 
potential treason, is not well understood.
  In recent testimony before our Intelligence Subcommittee, some common 
traits and characteristics emerged. Said RAND Corporation's Bruce 
Jenkins: ``It is the same age group that is susceptible to being 
recruited into gangs. These are young men who are going through 
identity crises, looking to define themselves. If you have a narrative 
that exalts violence, that attempts to project that violence as a 
personal obligation, that offers the tantalizing prospect of 
clandestinity, identity, all of those are appealing to that specific 
age group.''
  Combine that personal adolescent upheaval with the explosion of 
information technologies and communications tools, tools which American 
kids are using to broadcast messages from al Qaeda, as Chairman 
Thompson just said, and there is a road map to terror, a retail outlet 
for anger and warped aspirations. Link that intent with a trained 
terrorist operative who has actual capability, and a ``Made in the 
USA'' suicide bomber is born.
  Madam Speaker, H.R. 1955 was carefully constructed by Dave Reichert 
and me, as ranking member and chairman of the Homeland Security 
Intelligence Subcommittee. The bill passed out of subcommittee and full 
committee unanimously. This bill has strong bipartisan origins. As one 
who believes that this body's best work is done on a bipartisan basis, 
I think this bill is a testament. Though not a silver bullet, the 
legislation will help the Nation develop a better understanding of the 
forces that lead to homegrown terrorism and the steps we can take to 
stop it.
  Madam Speaker, free speech, espousing even very radical beliefs, is 
protected by our Constitution. But violent behavior is not. Our plan 
must be to intervene before a person crosses that line separating 
radical views from violent behavior, to understand the forces at work 
on the individual and the community, to create an environment that 
discourages disillusionment and alienation, that instills in young 
people a sense of belonging and faith in the future.
  The legislation before us today offers that opportunity. It is, I 
would suggest, the key to prevention. If we fail to prevent, the best 
we can do is manage consequences. Prevention is better. I urge an 
``aye'' vote.
  Mr. REICHERT. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the distinguished 
gentleman from California (Mr. Daniel E. Lungren), the ranking member 
of the Transportation Security and Infrastructure Protection 
Subcommittee.
  Mr. DANIEL E. LUNGREN of California. Madam Speaker, according to the 
FBI testimony before our House Committee on Homeland Security: ``The 
European and American experience shows that prisons are venues where 
extremists have radicalized and recruited among the inmate 
population.''
  Now, this is not just a theoretical concern. We all remember the case 
of Richard Reid, apprehended while attempting to detonate a bomb on a 
U.S.-bound commercial flight in December 2001. Well, that same Mr. Reid 
is believed to have been radicalized by an imam while incarcerated in 
Britain.
  In 2005 we learned of the California prison-based case of the 
``Assembly of Authentic Islam.'' These individuals were involved in 
almost a dozen armed gas station robberies in the Los Angeles area, 
with the goal of financing terrorist operations. They were indicted by 
a Federal grand jury for conspiracy to levy war against the U.S. 
Government through terrorism.
  And in April of this year, in a hearing that we held out in Torrance, 
California, Sergeant Larry Mead of the Gang Intelligence Unit, Los 
Angeles County Sheriff's Department, testified that ``analysis shows 
that radicalization and recruitment in U.S. prisons is still an ongoing 
concern.''
  Similarly, in a recent report, the NYPD noted that prisons are ``an 
excellent breeding ground for radicalization.''
  The key to the success of stopping the spread of radicalization is 
identifying how radicalization begins and eliminating its breeding 
grounds. We know we have difficulties with this phenomenon in our 
prisons, but we don't know enough about it. We need to have 
collaboration between the Federal prison system authorities and the 
State prison system authorities and within the prison system 
authorities themselves. We need to bring together the best thinkers on 
this, the best people who have experience in dealing with this already 
at the ground level; and, in fact, this bill does that.
  Radicalization is not that well understood, and through this bill we 
will take an in-depth look at how it occurs. The commission provided 
for in H.R. 1955 would give our government an in-depth, 
multidisciplinary look at radicalization. And why is that important? 
Because no one has the single answer on this.
  Yes, we have the background of prisons as the general background to 
look at the radicalization in prisons, but how does it occur? Why does 
it occur? And why are we seeing a rise in this at this particular time 
when it is perhaps most dangerous to the American people?
  Radical Islam and its advocates around the world are a threat to 
America, but we have to understand we might develop a threat within the 
United States, as evidenced already by certain actions that have 
occurred. And therefore I would suggest that we vote ``yes'' on H.R. 
1955 so we can get the facts upon which we can plan for

[[Page H11859]]

prevention, not just taking care of the problem after it occurs.
  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the 
gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Carney), the chairman of our 
Management and Oversight Committee.
  Mr. CARNEY. Madam Speaker, I would like to thank Chairman Thompson 
and certainly my good friend and colleague, Chairwoman Harman, for this 
legislation, and for our friends across the aisle. As a freshman, it's 
very instructive to watch what we can do in a bipartisan manner to 
protect this country. I do appreciate that. A lesson not lost on me, 
certainly.
  This past May, six suspected terrorists were charged with conspiring 
to attack Fort Dix. Their goal was to bring about significant 
destruction and mass casualties to that critical military base. These 
six men lived less than an hour away from my home and trained right in 
the Pocono Mountains of northeast Pennsylvania.
  In June of this year, four men were charged with plotting to attack 
civil aviation by blowing up jet fuel pipelines that serve JFK. In both 
cases the accused individuals planned, plotted, and attempted to 
perpetrate their crimes on American soil. More troubling is that, 
according to media reports, neither cell received any assistance or had 
any contact with al Qaeda or any other overseas terrorist group. These 
two recent events demonstrate the troubling presence of homegrown 
terrorism in the United States.
  Members of such groups are indistinguishable from traditional 
terrorists in that they are radicalized and sympathize with the al 
Qaeda cause. However, that said, they undertake their terrorist plots 
without training or support from a central foreign terrorist group.
  Given the civil rights and liberties protections that we enjoy as all 
Americans, the Federal Government must be creative in its approach to 
combating homegrown terrorism.
  H.R. 1955, the Violent Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism 
Prevention Act of 2007, protects the civil rights and civil liberties 
of Americans and lawful permanent residents, while providing solutions 
for preventing future violent radicalization and homegrown terrorism.
  The act creates a national commission to examine the cases of violent 
radicalization and homegrown terrorism. The commission will be tasked 
with proposing concrete recommendations and legislative strategies for 
mitigating these types of domestically nurtured threats.
  The act also establishes Centers for Excellence for the Prevention of 
Radicalization that will study the social, criminal, political, 
psychological, and economic roots of the problem. Additionally, it will 
provide Homeland Security officials across the government with 
suggestions for preventing future radicalization and homegrown 
terrorism. It requires our Homeland Security officials to thoroughly 
examine the experiences of other nations that have experienced 
homegrown terrorism so that our government can learn from those 
experiences. I look forward to the passage of this vital piece of 
legislation and others that will make this Nation even more safe.
  Mr. REICHERT. Madam Speaker, it is my privilege to yield 3 minutes to 
the distinguished gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Dent), the ranking 
member of the Emergency Communications, Preparedness and Response 
Subcommittee of the Homeland Security full committee.
  Mr. DENT. Madam Speaker, I have to add my two cents' worth, that the 
same folks who were training up in the Poconos near Congressman 
Carney's home were training about an hour from my home as well, and we 
all, I think, realize the nature of this homegrown threat.
  But I want to rise today to speak in support of H.R. 1955, the 
Violent Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism Prevention Act.
  Recently, U.S. intelligence and law enforcement officials have 
enjoyed a number of successes in the war against violent extremism. The 
plot to kill soldiers at Fort Dix, the attempt to disrupt the Kennedy 
Airport pipeline system, and last year's conspiracy to bring down the 
U.S./U.K. transatlantic flights, were all disrupted by good 
intelligence efforts and, as a result, lives were saved.
  But we cannot rest on our laurels. After all, it is still al Qaeda's 
stated goal to kill 4 million Americans, to bring the United States to 
its knees, and to impose a system of radical violent Islamism upon the 
Middle East, and in fact the rest of the world. We need to protect 
ourselves from this threat to do everything we can in order to make 
sure that there are no future terrorist attacks on the homeland, and 
the Violent Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism Prevention Act would 
help us certainly in this effort.
  This bill's effectiveness is enhanced by the fact that it was put 
together in a spirit of bipartisan, much to the credit of the Chair, 
Ms. Harman. Earlier this year, the ranking member of the Homeland 
Security Committee's Intelligence, Information Sharing, and Terrorism 
Risk Assessment Subcommittee, Congressman Dave Reichert, introduced 
legislation, H.R. 1695, that forms the basis for the current bill, H.R. 
1955. Chairwoman Harman and Ranking Member Reichert have both actively 
supported the current bill, which was voted out of the Homeland 
Security Committee without opposition in August.
  Also, this bill was the subject of numerous hearings, excellent 
hearings, much to the credit of both of them.

                              {time}  1130

  This bill can help us to stop the spread of violent radicalization 
that has helped terrorist groups to grow their rank-and-file 
membership. It creates a 10-member national commission, modeled after 
the 9/11 Commission, which will study radicalization and come up with 
recommendations for defusing its power and preventing its spread. It 
establishes a university-based center of excellence that will study 
this phenomenon in depth, and it encourages international cooperation 
to stop the spread of this violent extremism. It authorizes the 
Department of Homeland Security to work with nations such as the U.K. 
and Israel, countries that have had a lot of experience and success in 
dealing with violent extremism within their borders, to develop a 
``best practices'' methodology that can be used to help prevent 
radicalization and to thwart ideologically based violence.
  I hope that Members will join me in supporting this bipartisan 
legislation aimed at protecting us against violent extremism and at 
making us safer here in this country.
  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the 
gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Perlmutter).
  Mr. PERLMUTTER. Madam Speaker, I thank Chairman Thompson and I want 
to thank Ms. Harman and Mr. Reichert for conducting a number of 
hearings across the country to really focus our attention on what could 
be a very big problem if we don't get in touch with it right now.
  As the global war on terror continues, America dedicates much of its 
resources to tracking foreign terrorists at home and abroad. But in 
recent years, we have seen a rise in the number of U.S.-born criminals 
inspired by, but not necessarily affiliated with, groups like al Qaeda. 
And we have had, from Ms. Harman and Mr. Reichert and Mr. Lungren as 
well, a list of a number of incidents that we have seen recently.
  It is vital that our Nation do what it can to understand the growing 
threat of homegrown terrorists and what we can do to prevent it. The 
Homegrown Terrorism and Violent Radicalization Act finally focuses 
attention on this matter. The bill establishes a national center of 
excellence to bring in the top minds in the world to explore the causes 
of radicalization. The legislation also enhances our international 
cooperation so we may learn from our allies who have extensive 
experience with homegrown terrorism.
  But the centerpiece of this legislation is the establishment of a 
national commission to report to Congress the causes and preventive 
measures that we can take. The commission consists of academics, 
religious experts, counterintelligence officials, prison 
administrators, and many others with the experience provided for this 
input.
  And I must make it clear this bill has strict oversight of the 
privacy officers within the Department of Homeland Security to ensure 
it respects personal and religious freedom.

[[Page H11860]]

  As Americans, it is very difficult to understand why one of our 
citizens would want to terrorize his neighbors and countrymen. But it 
is a question we must face in order to protect our security. This bill 
tackles this head on, and I would like to thank our chairman and 
ranking member for bringing this bill forward.
  Mr. REICHERT. Madam Speaker, it is my pleasure to yield 2 minutes to 
the gentlewoman from Florida, a member of the full Committee on 
Homeland Security (Ms. Ginny Brown-Waite).
  Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. I thank the gentleman for yielding.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of the Violent Radicalization 
and Homegrown Terrorism Prevention Act of 2007. This very important 
bill will play a key role in protecting our homeland.
  As events abroad have taught us all too frequently, homegrown 
extremists and terrorists pose a serious and deadly threat to the 
general population. The recent attacks in Great Britain, as well as the 
foiled plot in Germany, prove that we must prevent the spread of 
violent radicalization within our own borders. They do it there; we 
certainly need to do more here.
  Here at home our intelligence and law enforcement officials have done 
an exceptional job of keeping America safe from such threats. Over the 
last 1\1/2\ years, we have seen plots against the Sears Tower in 
Chicago, Ft. Dix in New Jersey, and JFK Airport foiled by our Nation's 
vigilant network of law enforcement and intelligence personnel.
  The bill before us will serve to strengthen those homeland defense 
efforts by preventing ideologies that promote violence and terrorism 
from taking root in American soil.
  We know that al Qaeda seeks to spread their evil philosophy 
everywhere, even into the minds of our own U.S. citizens. To combat 
radical Muslim extremists' ceaseless efforts at expansion, this 
bipartisan bill will create a commission to study violent 
radicalization and work with all levels of government both here and 
abroad to examine strategies to deal with this phenomena. This bill has 
an estimated cost of approximately $20 million. This number pales in 
comparison to the cost in human suffering and economic devastation a 
homegrown terrorist attack might bring.
  As Americans, we must never give up fighting the forces of hate and 
violence espoused by al Qaeda, and I believe this bill is a valuable 
weapon in that struggle. I commend the chairwoman and Ranking Member 
Reichert for their tenacity in bringing this bill to the floor, and I 
support it.
  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, at this time I have no 
further requests for time, and I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. REICHERT. Madam Speaker, it is my pleasure to yield 3 minutes to 
the gentleman from Connecticut, who is a member of the full Committee 
on Homeland Security (Mr. Shays).
  Mr. SHAYS. Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague for yielding to me.
  Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1955, the Violent 
Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism Prevention Act, which I refer to 
as the Harman-Reichert bill. I appreciate that they have worked so well 
together on a bipartisan basis.
  I like the fact that this legislation creates a 10-member national 
commission, modeled after the 9/11 Commission, to study violent 
radicalization and ideologically based terrorism in these United 
States.
  Before September 11 we had the Hart-Rudman Commission, the Bremer 
Commission, the Gilmore Commission. They all told us the same basic 
point, that we have a terrorist threat and we need to recognize that 
threat, that we need a strategy to deal with this threat, and that we 
need to reorganize our government to implement the strategy.
  Then came September 11, and we did wake up somewhat. We reorganized 
our government and created the Department of Homeland Security. We 
passed the PATRIOT Act. We reorganized our intelligence agencies and 
created a Director of Intelligence. And we are reforming the FISA law, 
but this is still an issue we are working with.
  The 9/11 Commission did something very courageous. They didn't say we 
are confronting terrorism; they said we are confronting Islamist 
terrorists who would do us harm. I think it is absolutely important we 
pass this legislation to begin to know the effects of radical terrorism 
spreading throughout the entire world and working its way into the 
United States.
  I believe with all my heart and soul that we have a level of 
recognition of the threat that pales in comparison to what the true 
threat is. I think this legislation will help awaken us a bit and help 
awaken others within our country that this threat must be dealt with.
  We have a lot of issues that are important for our country to deal 
with, but our homeland security is on the top of the list. I urge 
passage of this legislation.
  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, I continue to reserve the 
balance of my time.
  Mr. REICHERT. Madam Speaker, it is indeed my pleasure to yield 3 
minutes to the gentleman from Georgia, who is a member of the full 
Committee on Homeland Security (Mr. Broun).
  Mr. BROUN of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for 
yielding.
  Madam Speaker, homegrown terrorism is a very dangerous threat and 
must not be overlooked. The United States has an obligation and a 
solemn duty to guard against the violent radicalization of the American 
population, a radicalization that has far-reaching, devastating 
implications.
  On September 11, 2001, the world saw firsthand the damage that 
Islamic extremists can do to the American people. As we look within our 
own population, there are individuals who promote ideologies under the 
guise of religion, political, and social benefits that are 
diametrically opposed to the American values and liberties that we hold 
so dear. Ideologies of any kind, religious or otherwise, that are based 
on violence, intolerance, and hatred have no place in America.
  In the past 18 months, the United States law enforcement and 
intelligence agencies have stopped numerous individuals and groups that 
promote radical political, religious, or social beliefs from carrying 
out terrorist attacks on American soil. I, for one, would like to know 
how these individuals are operating and how they are funded. Are 
foreign entities providing the funding for their activities? Are these 
individuals who promote radical political ideologies registered as 
foreign agents? Perhaps we need to reexamine the Foreign Agents 
Registration Act of 1938. We need to be more proactive and strike at 
the roots of the problem.
  The bill that we are discussing today, H.R. 1955, is proactive 
instead of reactive. Britain, Spain, France, and most recently Germany 
and Denmark have all suffered the deadly effects of a small radicalized 
population that often use religion as an excuse to engage in violence 
and murder. The United States, thanks in large part to its alert 
citizenry and professional law enforcement agencies, has prevented the 
successful execution of several recent domestic terror threats in New 
York, Chicago, Florida, and elsewhere.
  Studying the causes of radicalization and ideologically based 
violence will better inform all of us how we can prevent terrorists 
from spreading their messages of hate.
  The Violent Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism Prevention Act is 
the work of a solid bipartisan cooperation at the subcommittee and full 
committee levels. Such cooperation is readily apparent as the current 
bill includes major aspects of H.R. 1695, Congressman Reichert's 
PREVENT Act, which was designed to establish a National Commission on 
Radicalization. The nonpartisan commission envisioned by 
Representatives Reichert and Harman will be dedicated to 
comprehensively examining the phenomenon of violent radicalization so 
that we might better understand its root causes within the United 
States.
  I urge my colleagues to support this important timely, bipartisan 
piece of legislation.
  Mr. REICHERT. May I inquire as to how much time I have left.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from Washington has 1\1/2\ 
minutes remaining.
  Mr. REICHERT. I have no additional speakers.
  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, at this time I would

[[Page H11861]]

like to yield such time as she may consume to the chairman of the 
subcommittee, Ms. Harman.
  Ms. HARMAN. Madam Speaker, how much time remains on this side, may I 
ask?
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from Mississippi has 6 minutes 
remaining.
  Ms. HARMAN. I assure the chairman I will just take a brief amount of 
time.
  I want to note for the body that this has been an excellent debate. 
We are bipartisan, we are unanimous, everyone understands the problem, 
and everyone wants to solve the problem. It is extremely refreshing, 
and I have thoroughly enjoyed this debate.
  I want to make two additional points. Number one, our bill was 
sequentially referred to the Judiciary Committee, and the Judiciary 
Committee agreed to report it for it to be brought up on the consent 
calendar. I would especially like to thank Chairman Conyers for his 
cooperation and note that our staff, our excellent staff, worked out 
this agreement.
  My second comment is that a companion bill, the identical text, has 
been introduced in the Senate, and referred to the Government Affairs 
Committee, which is the committee of jurisdiction there, and I hope 
that following passage here, should we be able to pass the bill today, 
there would be prompt action in the other body and we would have a law 
to send to the President to sign this fall.
  In conclusion, this is a good process and I think an excellent 
result. It will make America more safe.

                              {time}  1145

  Mr. REICHERT. Madam Speaker, I just want to reemphasize the words of 
Chairwoman Harman, who just spoke. This really has been a bipartisan 
effort; we talk a lot about that on the Hill here. And this committee, 
working with Ms. Harman has been, indeed, a pleasure, traveling across 
the country to various locations, holding hearings on this topic.
  It is important for the American people to know and understand and 
realize there really is truly a threat here within the borders of the 
United States of America, and how important it is for all of us to work 
together because Americans working together keep this country safe and 
protect the freedoms that we have all enjoyed, for me, 57 years of 
enjoying the freedoms of this blessed country. And I want the same 
things for my children and my grandchildren. I want them to enjoy the 
same freedoms that I've had the opportunities to enjoy. In order for us 
to do that, both sides of the aisle have to work closely together to 
make sure that we pass the laws, the legislation that will accomplish 
that great feat.
  In reminding the American people what has happened in the past 18 
months in this country, the Sears Tower in Chicago in 2006; a New York-
New Jersey PATH tunnel in July of 2006; Chicago-area shopping mall, 
December of 2006; passengers aboard a transatlantic flight from the 
U.K. to the U.S.; soldiers at Fort Dix in New Jersey; JFK Airport's 
fueling systems and others, these have been terrorist acts that have 
been prevented, and we need to continue that effort. Passing this 
legislation will accomplish that.
  Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, in closing, I urge my 
colleagues to join me in support of H.R. 1955. This vital legislation 
will put our Nation on the path to addressing an emerging threat, 
homegrown terrorism.
  There is general agreement that the threat of foreign-based terrorist 
groups is real. We, as a Nation, have dedicated a great deal of 
resources to global counterterrorism. However, in some corners, there 
has been a kind of mindset about homeland security that believes we 
will be safe if we get the terrorists there before they get us here. 
It's the kind of mindset that ignores the fact that there are some 
would-be terrorists who are born here, raised and educated here, and 
only have lived here in the United States. For those of us who love 
this Nation, it is not the kind of thing that we want to acknowledge, 
but we must. Enactment of H.R. 1955 will put us on a course to 
understanding homegrown terrorism and coming up with strategies to 
reduce this major threat to the homeland.
  Madam Speaker, I, also would like to pay tribute to the chairwoman of 
the committee for ushering this passage, as well as the ranking member 
of the committee. But I would also like to acknowledge that Ranking 
Member King, who had an unfortunate death in his family, is not here. 
He has been a source of support for this legislation and has helped get 
us to this point, and I would like to acknowledge that for the record.
  Madam Speaker, I urge passage of this legislation.
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong 
support of H.R. 1955, the Violent Radicalization and Homegrown 
Terrorist Prevention Act of 2007, introduced by my distinguished 
colleague from California, Representative Harman. This important 
legislation recognizes the threat of homegrown terrorism and seeks to 
address this burgeoning problem while maintaining the civil rights and 
liberties of American citizens.
  Since May of this year, two separate plots against strategic American 
targets have been foiled and prevented by American officials. What 
distinguishes them from previous terrorist plots against the United 
States is that the potential terrorists here have no contact with nor 
support from Al-Qaeda or any other overseas terrorist cells. America 
must be unique in its approach to homegrown terrorism, given the civil 
rights and civil liberties protections that are unique to America and 
enjoyed by all American citizens.
  As a senior Member of the Committee on Homeland Security and Chair of 
the Subcommittee on Transportation Security and Infrastructure, I 
believe we can secure our homeland and remain true to our values 
simultaneously. The Muslim American community has grown in size and 
prominence, and is an integral part of the fabric of this Nation. 
Muslim Americans share the same values and ideals that make this Nation 
great. Ideals such as discipline, generosity, peace and moderation.
  Many years of civil rights jurisprudence and law have been ignored 
and thrown out the window when the racial profiling, harassment, and 
discrimination of Muslim and Arab Americans is permitted to occur with 
impunity. These practices show a reckless and utter disregard for the 
fundamental values on which our country is founded: namely, due 
process, the presumption of innocence, nondiscrimination, 
individualized rather than group suspicion, and equitable application 
of the law. We cannot allow xenophobia, prejudice, and bigotry to 
prevail, and eviscerate the Constitution we are bound to protect.
  The securing of our homeland and protection of our national security 
is on the forefront of my agenda. However, using 9/11 as an impetus to 
engage in racial profiling, harassment, and discrimination of Muslim 
and Arab Americans is not only deplorable, it undermines our civil 
liberties and impedes our success in the global war on terror. We must 
fight our war on terror without compromising our freedoms and 
liberties.
  It is precisely for these reasons that I so strongly support H.R. 
1955. This Act calls for the creation of the National Commission to 
examine the various causes of violent radicalization and homegrown 
terrorism in order to propose concrete and meaningful recommendations 
and legislative strategies in order to alleviate these threats. It also 
establishes a Center of Excellence for the Prevention of Radicalization 
and Home Grown Terrorism that will study the social, criminal, 
political, psychological and economic roots of the problem as well as 
provide homeland security officials across the government with 
suggestions for preventing radicalization and homegrown terrorism. 
Furthermore, it requires our homeland security officials to thoroughly 
examine the experiences of other nations that have experienced 
homegrown terrorism so that our government might learn from those 
experiences. As such, H.R. 1955 does more than merely address the 
current situation with regard to homegrown terrorism but also works to 
identify the causes behind the problem and address them as well.
  I strongly urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this important 
legislation.
  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance 
of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Thompson) that the House suspend the 
rules and pass the bill, H.R. 1955, as amended.
  The question was taken; and the Speaker pro tempore announced that 
the ayes appeared to have it.
  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas 
and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the

[[Page H11862]]

Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this question will 
be postponed.

                          ____________________