[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 110 (Monday, July 26, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1422]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   HOMELAND SECURITY SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2010

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. LAURA RICHARDSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 20, 2010

  Ms. RICHARDSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 4842, 
the Homeland Security Science and Technology Authorization Act of 2010, 
which authorizes important management functions and programs within the 
Department of Homeland Security Science &Technology (S&T) Directorate.
  I would like to acknowledge Speaker Pelosi and Majority Leader Hoyer 
for their leadership in bringing this important resolution to the 
floor. I would also like to thank my colleagues Chairman Thompson and 
Congresswoman Clarke, who authored this legislation, which represents a 
milestone for the S&T Directorate and the Homeland Security Committee. 
It is the first authorization bill for S&T since the Department was 
created in 2002.
  As Chair of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Emergency 
Communications, Preparedness, and Response, I have been concerned about 
these issues. Through the Committee's years of oversight work, I have a 
great appreciation for not only S&T's strengths and successes, but also 
its weaknesses, which include a lack of accessibility, transparency, 
and responsiveness.
  H.R. 4842 addresses those weaknesses and acknowledges the importance 
of science and technology research, development, testing, and 
evaluation in ensuring the safety and security of the American people 
and our nation. This bill ensures that the Science and Technology 
Directorate has the right tools available to be successful, such as 
delivering products into the hands of our first responders, law 
enforcement officials, or critical infrastructure owners to help them 
achieve their mission and make America more secure. This legislation 
also authorizes critical management functions and programs within S&T, 
including the Securing the Cities program.
  In conclusion, Mr. Speaker, I support this legislation because we 
need the very best science and technology available to defend the 
threats against our homeland. I am pleased that Congress and the 
Committee on Homeland Security are taking action to promote these 
improvements and adequately fund the areas of government responsible 
for science and technology research.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 4842.

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