[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 61 (Thursday, April 17, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E647]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               THE FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE SURVEILLANCE ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. ALLEN BOYD

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 17, 2008

  Mr. BOYD of Florida. Madam Speaker, I want to commend the House and 
Senate leadership on their negotiations throughout the last year on the 
Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. They have worked diligently on 
this issue and I rise today to encourage them to finalize a version of 
the bill that protects the civil liberties of our citizens, provides 
comprehensive guidelines for our intelligence community and reaffirms 
the importance of private industry cooperation in government 
investigations.
  The right to privacy has long been regarded as an inherent American 
value and it is our Government's responsibility to strike a balance 
between protecting that constitutionally protected right and securing 
the country against future terrorist attacks. I have been pleased to 
support the Democratic led efforts towards Foreign Intelligence 
Surveillance Act reauthorization that have made it clear that these 
rights are to be at the forefront of actions taken by Government 
officials.
  In addition to this emphasis, I believe it imperative that a final 
bill exempts from liability the telecommunications companies who 
participated in the Bush administration's requests for information on 
customer records. I join the National Sheriffs' Association, the 
International Association of Chiefs of Police, the Fraternal Order of 
Police, members of the 9/11 Commission and the Florida State Attorney 
General Bill McCollum in urging this protection. A provision as such 
will ensure that the cooperative relationships that law enforcement and 
the private sector have will continue to facilitate critical 
information exchanges that protect this Nation and its citizens.
  I am confident that Congress will continue the role intended by our 
forefathers to oversee the past, current and future actions of the 
executive branch, particularly in regard to these bedrock issues that 
make the United States the greatest country in the world. Our 
intelligence community deserves updated direction and guidance on these 
issues backed by the force of law, and I urge our leaders to continue 
their good work.

                          ____________________