[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 86 (Friday, June 8, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1028-E1029]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                URBAN AREAS SECURITY INITIATIVE FUNDING

                                  _____
                                 

                          HON. SILVESTRE REYES

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, June 8, 2012

  Mr. REYES. Mr. Chair, I rise to support the amendment offered by Mr. 
Higgins that would increase funding to the Federal Emergency Management 
Agency's State and Local Program by $58 million to allow communities 
such

[[Page E1029]]

as the one I represent, El Paso, Texas, to be eligible for Urban Areas 
Security Initiative, UASI, funding under the FY2013 Homeland Security 
Appropriations Bill.
  As you know, UASI provides funding to address the unique planning, 
organization, equipment, and training needs of high-threat, high-
density urban areas. The program assists in building an enhanced and 
sustainable capacity to prevent, protect against, respond to, and 
recover from acts of terrorism.
  Unfortunately, the FY12 Homeland Security Appropriations bill 
contained provisions that would arbitrarily deny funding to more than 
50 cities like El Paso, Texas. These hinder the progress that 
communities like El Paso, have made to prevent, protect against, 
respond to and recover from terrorist attacks and could potentially 
undermine the ability of these cities to safeguard their communities.
  As former Chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on 
Intelligence, I know very well the importance of providing our cities 
with adequate resources to prepare, prevent, and protect against 
attacks. This is a time for our communities to remain vigilant. It is 
unwise to cut off resources by including arbitrary language that 
restricts funding for cities like El Paso, which sits on the U.S.-
Mexico border across from what is arguably one of the most violent 
cities in Mexico--Ciudad Juarez. Yet, despite this, El Paso is ranked 
the safest large city in the U.S. I attribute this to the great work of 
law enforcement in our community which is supported by resources 
provided by UASI under the Department of Homeland Security's State and 
Local Grants programs. UASI has directed more than $21.8 million to El 
Paso since 2007. Additionally, El Paso--Juarez is a major center for 
manufacturing and international trade and commerce. El Paso is home to 
one of the largest ports of entry on the U.S./Mexico border, and is 
recognized as one of the top trading points in the entire United 
States. El Paso is home to Fort Bliss, one of the United States largest 
military bases and the Department of Defenses top ranked military 
asset.
  In 2010, El Paso, Texas received $5,389,900 as part of the UASI 
program and an additional $75,000 through the UASI Nonprofit Security 
Grant Program to help nonprofit organizations at high risk of attack 
and located within one of the UASI-eligible areas.
  With continued violence in Mexico and other potential security 
threats in our area, these funds are especially critical. As our local 
governments continue to face budget difficulties, these federal grants 
help ensure that our local law enforcement agencies have the resources 
they need to ensure El Paso remains the safest large city in the U.S.
  El Paso has a track record of wisely investing UASI funds in projects 
such as an emergency notification system, an information fusion center, 
urban search and rescue teams, hazardous materials specialty teams, and 
critical interoperable communications infrastructure upgrades.
  The UASI grant has provided the El Paso Region with equipment such 
as: chemical and hazardous materials detectors, thermal imaging 
cameras, personal protective equipment, command units, generators, 
tactical ballistic helmets and vests, security systems, response 
vehicles, emergency notification system, and even medical cache for 
H1N1 pandemic, as well as numerous other projects.
  The grant funds have also assisted in coordination exercises, 
including: ranged interdepartmental communication and training, agency 
communication and training, and EOC exercises to regional cross-
discipline and multi-agency training scenarios. All of the exercises 
are compiled and analyzed through After Action Reports, which are 
indispensable as training tools to reflect our areas of strength and 
weakness. In addition, the grant has also funded training such as 
National Incident Management System, Bomb Team, Hazmat, and other 
training exercises deemed eligible on the grant.
  El Paso area communities have all benefited from the regional UASI by 
significantly increasing their capabilities. The funds allowed for the 
purchase of equipment and training such as those outlined by the 
Department of Homeland Security's National Planning Scenarios and 
Target Capabilities Lists. I urge my colleagues to support Mr. Higgins 
amendment, the Urban Area Security Initiative, to ensure that our 
communities and our country remain safe. Mr. Higgins' amendment ensures 
that communities like mine in El Paso, Texas receive the support they 
need from the UASI program.
  I urge my colleagues to support this amendment and help continue to 
keep our large cities safe.

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