[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 196 (Wednesday, December 12, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1652-E1653]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   CRIME STOPPERS GLOBAL SOLUTIONS: TURNING CONCERNED CITIZENS INTO 
                 COMMITTED TRANSNATIONAL CRIME WARRIORS

                                 ______
                                 

                              HON. TED POE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 12, 2018

  Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, we have learned--and had reinforced 
repeatedly--the lesson about the importance of a strategic asset that 
is both the decisive advantage and critical success element in American 
engagement around the globe. Whether it involves prosecuting 
conventional war, combating terrorism, conducting intelligence 
operations, or fighting transnational crime, we can never underestimate 
the significance and necessity of the human factor. Not only do men and 
women make a difference, they are the difference between success and 
failure in these endeavors.
  We spend billions of dollars on advanced weapons systems, equipment, 
technology, and more to defend and protect our nation and help it 
execute and achieve manifold missions. Yet these are only tools--albeit 
expensive and effective tools--but tools nonetheless. They exist to 
serve the talented, dedicated men and women in our federal government 
who drive and deliver the critical results daily that ensure American 
leadership, influence, and power worldwide.
  It is this recognition of the importance and impact of people and 
reliance on people power, engagement, and tools that prompt me today to 
bring Crime Stoppers Global Solutions (CSGS) to the attention of my 
colleagues.
  This 501(c)(3) organization proactively and aggressively combats 
serious transnational crime such as human trafficking, terrorism, 
illicit trade, illegal arms dealing, narcotics smuggling, corruption, 
and cybercrime. Terrorist organizations and criminal enterprises engage 
in these activities to finance their campaigns of death and destruction 
and earn their illicit profits.
  From my vantage point as chairman of the Subcommittee on Terrorism, 
Nonproliferation, and Trade of the Foreign Affairs Committee and as a 
member of the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and 
Investigations of the Judiciary Committee, I see firsthand the growing 
threat of global terrorism and transnational crime to U.S. national 
security. Throughout my service in Congress, I have been committed to 
and engaged in combating both.
  We are in a prolonged war that threatens America's existence, 
challenges our leadership and power, and tests our national will and 
resolve at every turn. To defeat these twin global enemies, I remain 
convinced that we must declare all-out war and withhold nothing. It is 
absolutely imperative that we marshal and commit all human resources 
and tools available, whether government or private, to the aim of 
destroying global terrorism and transnational crime.
  Crime Stoppers Global Solutions is a natural and ideal ally to the 
federal government in our must-win campaign. It combines the dual 
strengths of engaged citizens and advanced wireless technology into an 
effective weapon. This powerful weapon helps trusted law enforcement, 
media, and government not only to disrupt and disable transnational 
criminal enterprises, but also to take down their members and bring 
them to justice.
  The organization's crime-fighting initiative turns concerned citizens 
into committed transnational crime warriors. It arms this mighty 
citizen force with new, innovative wireless tip technology. Using a 
free, secure, downloadable phone application, citizens can report 
crimes they see, hear, or know about with the guarantee of absolute 
anonymity and without the fear of revenge from apprehended criminal 
suspects.
  Crime Stoppers Global Solutions is built upon the successful 
foundation of Crime Stoppers USA that has operated in the United States 
for 40 years and relied on a simple anonymous telephone tip reporting 
model. But Crime Stoppers Global Solutions has innovated its own 
proprietary reporting application and model using new technological 
advancements. Its solution is designed for a global mission.
  This new application is several generations in technological 
innovation, sophistication, and function beyond the now primitive and 
outmoded technology that once served the cause of domestic citizen-
engaged crime-fighting so ably and faithfully nearly a half century 
ago. Crime Stoppers Global Solutions has developed an application that 
is at home and functions well today in our connected world of hand-held 
mobile devices.
  It is a commendable and valuable effort on the part of the CSGS 
leadership and its team of distinguished experts to support, through 
its own initiative and independent efforts, the federal government, as 
well as foreign governments in the global fight against terrorism and 
transnational crime. Especially important are the vision and leadership 
CSGS is exhibiting in targeting global transnational crime at its 
source or in transit to protect us here at home.
  This is why I am especially pleased to report that the CSGS team has 
identified a vital region to bring their mission to: the Balkan 
Peninsula. This region is of immense geopolitical relevance and 
strategic and security interest to the United States. The ``Balkan 
route,'' as it is known, is a major gateway and transit route for 
transnational crime between the Middle East and other regions and the 
West. We continue to see crime surging in this area.
  As the co-chairman of the Congressional Serbian Caucus, I am 
delighted that the first country in the Balkans to open its doors to 
the mission and the team of CSGS is the Republic of Serbia. I commend 
President Aleksandar Vucic and his government, Minister of Interior 
Nebojsa Stefanovic, and the office of Prime Minister Ana Brnabic for 
their interest in learning about Crime Stoppers Global Solutions and 
exploring a possible partnership.
  I am happy to report that since this initial outreach and dialogue, 
two Serbian non-governmental organizations have signed partnership 
agreements with Crime Stoppers Global Solutions, joining the global 
fight against terrorism and transnational crime. I encourage President 
Aleksandar Vucic to continue demonstrating the leadership and courage 
he has shown thus far not only to lead his nation in this area but also 
to be an example for other Balkan nations to emulate.
  I have spent many years serving and believing in the longstanding 
friendship and alliance that exist between the United States and Serbia 
and our peoples. One of the most important pillars of this relationship 
is the many Americans of Serbian ancestry who have helped contribute 
to, build, and enrich this country. Nikola Tesla, Mihajlo Pupin, Helen 
Delic Bentley, and countless more American Serbians in science, 
business, sports, the arts, public service, and other fields have 
achieved much and added much to America's greatness. The support of the 
American Serbian community, including the American Serbian Association, 
the largest and most influential membership organization of its kind 
nationwide, is of vital significance.
  It is not only out of genuine affinity and affection for the Serbian 
people that I wish to see Crime Stoppers Global Solutions engage in and 
succeed in Serbia, but also out of sincere interest in and concern for 
their welfare and protection from global terrorism and transnational 
crime.

[[Page E1653]]

  The United States has strategic interests in Serbia and the Balkan 
region. Increasingly, what happens there--especially transnational 
crime such as human trafficking, drug smuggling, terrorism, and more--
impacts us here at home. This is because crime is no longer localized 
in a neighborhood or community or city or country. It is global in 
presence, scope, reach, and impact.
  So, when we are engaged in combating terrorism and transnational 
crime in the Balkan region, we are not only protecting citizens there, 
we are also protecting citizens here.
  Our federal government is a fierce and determined combatant in the 
war on global terrorism and transnational crime. But its ferocity and 
determination are every bit as matched by terrorists and transnational 
criminals. No one entity--be it a government, non-governmental 
organization, or other group, even one with considerable human 
resources and tools--can singlehandedly take on these enemies and 
prevail against them in the long run.
  But by joining forces with and making common cause with organizations 
like Crime Stoppers Global Solutions, the federal government is 
stronger and more capable of dismantling terrorist organizations and 
transnational criminal enterprises and bringing their leaders and foot 
soldiers to justice.
  Crime Stoppers Global Solutions offers the powerful twin assets of 
people and technology to enhance the efforts and effectiveness of the 
federal government in its global mission of combating terrorism and 
transnational crime. These are true and proven force multipliers in 
crime fighting.
  For these reasons, I strongly encourage Secretary of State Pompeo and 
the secretaries of the Departments of Defense, Homeland Security, 
Justice, and the Treasury, as well as the heads of relevant federal 
agencies to partner with Crime Stoppers Global Solutions.
  The war on global terrorism and transnational crime is winnable. It 
takes a team approach. By partnering with Crime Stoppers Global 
Solutions, the federal government can pool, share, and leverage 
powerful human resources--engaged citizens--and new tools--advanced 
wireless technology--that far exceed the capabilities of our enemies 
and their ability to respond in kind. This joint forces approach has 
the greatest potential for defeating our enemies and ensuring the 
safety and wellbeing of Americans and Serbians alike for the long term.
  And that's just the way it is.

                          ____________________