[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 159 (Thursday, October 29, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2667]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 ALLOWING FUNDING FOR THE INTEROPERABLE EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS GRANT 
                                PROGRAM

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                            HON. LOIS CAPPS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 28, 2009

  Mrs. CAPPS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of S. 1694, 
the Public Safety Interoperable Communications Grant Program Extension 
Act of 2009.
  This grant program, due to expire at the end of this year, is a vital 
component of a nationwide fully interoperable communications network 
for our first responders. It provides grants to States so they may 
purchase expensive, yet essential, interoperable communications 
equipment.
  This simple, straightforward extension would assist States in 
establishing their portion of a nationwide interoperable network. We 
cannot afford to let this program expire.
  There are two primary reasons to support this bill.
  First, interoperability is essential for the safety of Americans. We 
all know the devastating consequences that occur when our first 
responders and public safety entities cannot communicate in the face of 
incredible disaster. Tragedies such as 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina 
instantly come to mind.
  Interoperability was a key recommendation of the 9/11 Commission and 
one of the foremost reasons Congress passed legislation to ``free-up'' 
spectrum by transitioning to digital television.
  First responders need to be able to communicate effortlessly--lives 
depend on it.
  Second, we want to ensure the communications networks established by 
States are thorough, effective, and efficient.
  The Department of Homeland Security has set deadlines for all States 
to develop Statewide Communications Interoperability Plans and Congress 
established the grant program to help States purchase the equipment to 
implement these plans.
  Unfortunately, the deadline for the program has not afforded States 
sufficient time to comply with the program requirements.
  By extending the deadline for applications for this grant program, we 
are enabling public safety entities to do the right thing--to carefully 
and thoroughly design their interoperable plans before they spend 
millions of taxpayer dollars on equipment.
  Of course, the sooner interoperable communications networks come 
online, the better. But we do not want to unwisely rush their 
implementation or effectively punish those entities that do their due 
diligence in the planning stages. We must extend this vital grant 
program.
  Mr. Speaker, I am grateful to my colleague Rep. Harman who had the 
foresight to introduce this legislation. I urge my colleagues to 
support S. 1694, the Public Safety Interoperable Communications Grant 
Program Extension Act of 2009.

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