[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 192 (Thursday, December 17, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E3032-E3033]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         FIRST RESPONDER ANTI-TERRORISM TRAINING RESOURCES ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 15, 2009

  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 
3978, legislation that would permit the Center for Domestic 
Preparedness to accept gifts and donations in order to better train our 
Nation's first responders. As Chairman of the Committee on Homeland 
Security, I am pleased that the House is considering this legislation 
today, and I urge my colleagues to support its passage.
  Mr. Speaker, the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Center for 
Domestic Preparedness, Center, is the Nation's leading all-hazards 
first-responder training center. Located in Anniston, Alabama, the 
Center has

[[Page E3033]]

provided emergency response training to first responders in all fifty 
States and territories, as well as Federal Government employees, 
foreign officials, and private entities. The Center is especially well-
known internationally for its weapons of mass destruction training 
facility.
  The Center often receives offers of donated goods and services, such 
as training displays, response equipment, and trailers. These donations 
would allow the Center to offer stronger training opportunities at a 
lower cost to the Department of Homeland Security, DHS, and the 
American taxpayer. Regrettably, the Center does not have the legal 
authority to accept gifts that would enhance its ability to deliver 
superior training.
  H.R. 3978 would amend the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 
CommissionAct of 2007 to permit the Center to receive donated gifts and 
services that are related to preparedness for and response to 
terrorism. The legislation further calls on the Secretary of Homeland 
Security to annually report to Congress on gifts accepted and how such 
gifts contribute to the mission of the Center.
  Other DHS training centers, such as the Federal Law Enforcement 
Training Center, already have the authority to accept gifts and 
donations. It is only appropriate that the Center also have this 
authority.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 3978 is a straight-forward piece of legislation 
that will pay immediate dividends for our first responder community. I 
support its passage and encourage my colleagues to support it as well.

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