[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 78 (Thursday, June 2, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1019]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2012

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                               speech of

                           HON. RUSS CARNAHAN

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 1, 2011

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 2017) making 
     appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security for 
     the fiscal year ending September 30, 2012, and for other 
     purposes:

  Mr. CARNAHAN. Mr. Chair, I rise today in strong support of this 
amendment, which restores critical funding for local first responders 
and public safety officials. Specifically, it ensures adequate funding 
for the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (FIRE) and the 
Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Grant Program 
(SAFER), which improve the readiness of our nation's heroic 
firefighters and emergency service providers, and help them protect and 
serve our local communities.
  My home state was recently impacted by the horrific tornados that 
struck St. Louis and Joplin, Missouri. We saw firsthand the vital role 
that local first responders play in the wake of horrific disaster--
searching for and rescuing survivors, clearing debris, and providing 
much needed support to a community suffering from heart-wrenching loss 
and destruction.
  FIRE and SAFER Grants help local fire departments equip, train, and 
maintain their personnel, preparing them to respond to all forms of 
emergencies, from natural disasters to terrorists attacks. The city of 
St. Louis recently was awarded a SAFER grant that was instrumental in 
saving up to 30 firefighter jobs during tough economic times in our 
city. These programs are vitally important to firefighters serving in 
large towns, small cities and rural areas across America, as they are 
able to address the immediate, individualized needs of departments 
efficiently and effectively.
  The underlying bill would dangerously cut funding for the FIRE and 
SAFER grants by nearly 60 percent compared to FY 2010 and FY 2011, and 
putting at least 1,600 firefighters' jobs in jeopardy. At a time when 
local fire departments and other first responders already face 
significant budgetary challenges, these cuts irresponsibly threaten our 
economic recovery and the safety of our communities.
  Our local firefighters and first responders are the backbone of safe 
communities across this country, which is why I have consistently 
advocated for sufficient funding of FIRE and SAFER grants in requests 
to House appropriators. These brave Americans and their critical work 
deserve our full support, and I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of 
this amendment.

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