[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 37 (Wednesday, March 5, 2014)]
[Senate]
[Page S1324]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SENATE RESOLUTION 373--RECOGNIZING THE IMPORTANCE OF BIOSECURITY AND 
                   AGRO-DEFENSE IN THE UNITED STATES

  Mr. ROBERTS (for himself, Mr. Moran, Mr. Blunt, and Mrs. McCaskill) 
submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 373

       Whereas following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, 
     the United States increased its efforts to combat the threat 
     of global terrorism;
       Whereas the September 11th attacks illustrated 
     the vulnerability of the food supply and agriculture economy 
     of the United States;
       Whereas in 2002, Congress created the Department of 
     Homeland Security to improve the Government's ability to 
     respond to threats facing the United States;
       Whereas the Department of Homeland Security, in partnership 
     with the Department of Agriculture, was quick to recognize 
     the threat posed by agroterrorism;
       Whereas on January 30, 2004, President George W. Bush 
     issued a Homeland Security Presidential Directive entitled 
     ``Defense of United States Agriculture and Food'';
       Whereas the Commission on the Prevention of Weapons of Mass 
     Destruction Proliferation and Terrorism stated in a 2008 
     report that bioterrorism was a more likely threat to the 
     United States than nuclear terrorism, and higher priority 
     should therefore be given to efforts to combat bioterrorism;
       Whereas the threat of a terrorist attack on the United 
     States persists, and continued vigilance is necessary; and
       Whereas construction of the National Bio and Agro-Defense 
     Facility began on May 28, 2013: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That it is the sense of the Senate that--
       (1) as the United States combats terrorism in all forms and 
     around the world, the safety, security, and health of our 
     livestock and agriculture commodities must not be forgotten;
       (2) research and investment in biosecurity and agro-defense 
     should be supported by Congress;
       (3) providing the resources, both intellectually and 
     materially, for the advancement of vaccines and cures for 
     deadly pathogens and emerging zoonotic diseases is an 
     integral part of homeland defense;
       (4) without the tools necessary to protect the people, 
     agriculture economy, and food supply of the United States, 
     this Nation remains vulnerable to attack;
       (5) the world depends on the agriculture of the United 
     States;
       (6) the world depends on the leadership of the United 
     States in science and technology;
       (7) the United States must remain a leader in the fight 
     against bioterrorism; and
       (8) biosecurity and a strong agro-defense system are 
     achievable goals for the United States in the global war on 
     terrorism.

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