U.S. Senator Ken Salazar

Member: Agriculture, Energy, Veterans' Affairs, Ethics and Aging Committees

 

2300 15th Street, Suite 450 Denver, CO 80202 | 702 Hart Senate Building, Washington, D.C. 20510

 

 

For Immediate Release

September 14, 2006

CONTACT:    Cody Wertz – Comm. Director

                        303-455-7600

Andrew Nannis  – Press Secretary

                        202-224-5852


  Sen. Salazar Votes to Strengthen Homeland Security
Port Security Bill Includes Salazar’s “Rural Policing Institute”

WASHINGTON, D.C. – United States Senator Ken Salazar voted with a bipartisan majority of the Senate today to pass a bill to increase port security. The bill also includes an amendment offered by Senator Salazar to establish a Rural Policing Institute (RPI).

“Over 11 million shipping containers enter the United States via our ports each year,” said Senator Salazar. “Those containers carry roughly 2.4 billion tons of goods worth more than $1 trillion. Currently, only about six percent of containers arriving at U.S. ports are currently inspected before they enter the country. While I am relieved we are finally working to secure our ports, it is inexcusable that five years after the 9/11 attacks this bill was still necessary.”

The Act, called the Security and Accountability For Every Port Act or the SAFE Port Act (H.R. 4954) includes provisions to:

  • Require the screening for radiological material of each container entering the United States through one of the 22 busiest seaports;
  • Require the Department of Homeland Security to develop enhanced protocols governing the resumption of trade in the event of an attack on our ports and a comprehensive strategic plan regarding maritime cargo security; and
  • Establish a pilot project in 3 foreign seaports to screen every container entering the United States from those ports.

Also included in the SAFE Port Act is an amendment offered by Senator Salazar to establish a Rural Policing Institute (RPI) at the highly respected Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC). FLETC is the premiere law enforcement training agency and also serves as the training hub for federal law enforcement agencies including the FBI, ATF, and the Secret Service.

The RPI would strengthen homeland security by authorizing $10 million nationally in 2007 and $5 million per year for 2008 – 2012 to develop and deliver training programs to rural and tribal law enforcement agencies with a focus on fighting meth’, domestic violence, and school violence.

“Our homeland security is about more than protecting America at the borders. Peace officers in rural America are on the front lines of battles they must be uniquely prepared for. This amendment will ensure that our rural, tribal and small town law enforcement officers have the training they need to protect themselves and their communities.”

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