[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 116 (Wednesday, August 1, 2012)]
[House]
[Page H5536]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     BUFFALO-NIAGARA AND THE URBAN AREA SECURITY INITIATIVE PROGRAM

  (Mr. HIGGINS asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. HIGGINS. Madam Speaker, on Monday, I hosted a field hearing of 
the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and 
Intelligence, on which I serve as ranking member. This was an 
opportunity for the committee to hear from local officials on the 
decision to eliminate Buffalo-Niagara from the Urban Area Security 
Initiative program.
  Niagara County Sheriff Voutour and Erie County Commissioner of 
Emergency Services Daniel Neaverth testified that the capability gains 
made under this program cannot be sustained without fully funding this 
program. The Federal investment that supported the security gains 
achieved over the past 8 years in this program will be lost unless we 
fully fund this program.
  Madam Speaker, the witness testimony made clear that the decision to 
eliminate Buffalo-Niagara from the Urban Areas Security Initiative 
program was ill-advised, shortsighted, and counterproductive. Congress 
and the Department of Homeland Security must reverse this course and 
restore Buffalo-Niagara's eligibility for this all-important program.

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