October 22, 2003   COMMITTEE APPROVES COLLINS’ BILL TO PROVIDE CUTTING EDGE COUNTERTERRORISM EQUIPMENT TO COMMUNITIES Major National Law Enforcement Organizations Endorse Legislation   WASHINGTON, D.C.— The Senate Governmental Affairs Committee today approved Chairman Susan Collins’ (R-ME) legislation to provide state and local law enforcement agencies with counterterrorism technology. The legislation, which was approved unanimously, has been endorsed by four of the nation’s most respected law enforcement organizations—the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), the National Sheriffs’ Association, the International Association of Chiefs of Police and the Major Cities Chiefs Association. Senator Collins’ legislation, the Homeland Security Technology Improvement Act (S. 1612), would create a technology transfer program within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to identify and transfer advanced counterterrorism technologies to state and local law enforcement agencies. The program would provide equipment and technologies to law enforcement to expand their investigative capabilities and to prevent future attacks. The bill would authorize $50 million each year for the DHS Office of Domestic Preparedness (ODP) to establish and run the program. “By providing counterterrorism technology to law enforcement agencies, we can help our first responders to become ‘first preventers,’” said Senator Collins. “New technologies lead to more effective equipment that will help law enforcement officers protect communities—and themselves.” In a letter sent to Senator Collins, FOP National President Chuck Canterbury wrote, “The Fraternal Order of Police believes very strongly that more needs to be done to improve and coordinate efforts to prevent terrorist attacks before they happen…. We believe your program takes the right approach and will enable law enforcement to fill in the technology gaps between traditional homeland security grant programs.” “Our members will benefit from passage of this important legislation,” wrote National Sheriffs’ Association President Wayne V. Gay in a letter. “We believe that a homeland security technology transfer program will improve our capabilities and enhance our prevention mission in fighting terrorism.” Senator Collins’ legislation would fill a technology gap left by ODP’s traditional grant program, which cannot be used to purchase advanced technologies. Major Cities Police Chiefs Association President Harold L. Hurtt, who also wrote Collins, said, “Our departments are in dire need of cutting edge counterterrorism technologies and equipment that will help us do our job. … This is an important piece of legislation and has our full support.”   ###   Printable Version   « previous Press Release next Press Release »   1998 - 1999 - 2000 - 2001 - 2002 - 2003 - 2004 - 2005 - 2006 - 2007 October 2003 Press Releases   October 31 - Education Secretary Pledges to Work With Chairman Collins To Combat Use of Diploma Mill Degrees   October 24 - Senate Approves Collins’ Contracting Amendment in Treasury-Postal Spending Bill   October 24 - Sen. Collins Seeks Explanation of Why Contracting Waivers Have Been Granted to MCI   October 23 - Sen. Collins Pledges to Expedite Admiral Loy’s Nomination   October 22 - Committee Approves Bills Affecting Homeland Security, the Federal Workforce, and D.C.   October 22 current Press Release   October 22 - Committee Approves Collins’ Bill to Provide Budget Autonomy to the District of Columbia   October 21 - Federal Electronic Rulemaking Progresses, But More Work is Needed   October 20 - Collins Commends Small Business Administration for Issuing New Contracting Regulations   October 17 - DOD Privacy Protections Questioned by Bipartisan Trio; Collection of JetBlue Passenger Information May Have Violated the Law   October 17 - Chairman Collins Introduces Bill to Create National Women’s History Museum   October 15 - Sen. Collins Takes Steps to Strengthen U.S. Seaports Against Terrorist Attacks   October 9 - Chairman Collins Commends FDA for Issuing New Food Safety Regulations   October 2 - Senate Governmental Affairs Committee Approves Department of Homeland Security Nomination   October 2 - Chairman Collins Introduces Bill to Improve Mental Health Services for Children   October 1 - Chairman Collins Calls for Federal Real Property Reform
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs 340 Dirksen Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510