[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 102 (Wednesday, June 24, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E960-E961]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY INTEROPERABLE COMMUNICATIONS ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. SUSAN W. BROOKS

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 23, 2015

  Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 
615, the Department of Homeland Security Interoperable Communications 
Act. I want to commend Mr. Payne on this momentous day for the hard 
work he has spent crafting and shaping this bill.
  A year ago, when I was Chairman of the Subcommittee on Emergency 
Preparedness, Response, and Communications, Mr. Payne approached me 
with concern after learning that DHS has not achieved Department-wide 
interoperability. He told me that although nationwide over $13 billion 
has been invested in achieving interoperable communications at the 
State and local level, the DHS Office of Inspector General, found that 
``personnel do not have reliable interoperable communications for daily 
operations, planned events, and emergencies.''
  As a former U.S. Attorney, who helped set up Indiana's Anti-Terrorism 
Advisory Council and Fusion Center, I was astounded by this persistent 
information gap and pledged to work with the gentleman on producing and 
moving a bill that puts DHS on the path to achieving interoperability.
  The bill before us does this by requiring the Department's Under 
Secretary for Management to develop a strategy for achieving and 
maintaining interoperable communications between the DHS components. 
Moreover, it requires DHS to report to Congress on the progress it is 
making toward achieving these milestones.
  Seamless communication between first responders in the aftermath of a 
disaster is absolutely vital to coordinating an effective response. As 
we learned on 9/11, inoperability of first responders' communication 
systems led to confusion, duplication, and discord that cost some brave 
men and women their lives. The federal government must take the lead in 
this effort and develop a system that will allow DHS's own components 
to effectively communicate both day to day and, most importantly, 
during emergencies.
  After nearly a year and three votes on the House floor, I'm proud of 
the tenacity and

[[Page E961]]

dedication of the gentleman in sheparding this bill through both 
chambers. I'm proud to support this bill that will head directly to the 
President's desk for signature and thus improve the safety of all our 
communities.

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