Testimony
of Larry Mefford, Executive Assistant Director, Counterterrorism
and Counterintelligence Division, FBI
Before a Joint Hearing
July 22, 2003
"The Terrorist Threat Integration Center and its Relationship
with the Departments of Justice and Homeland Security"
Good afternoon Chairman Sensenbrenner and Chairman Cox, I
am honored to appear at what may be a very historic hearing.
I cannot recall when a witness from the FBI has testified
before a combined panel that encompasses over 80 distinguished
Members of the House of Representatives.
It is also an honor to share this table with several of our
partners in this very important initiative - the Terrorist
Threat Integration Center (TTIC). During a speech at FBI Headquarters,
President Bush emphasized that the "FBI has no greater
priority than preventing terrorist acts against America."
I want to ensure that everyone clearly understands that TTIC
is crucially important to the success of our mission in the
FBI, and it will take us to the next level in being able to
prevent another terrorist attack on our nation.
TTIC’s mission is to enable full integration of the
terrorist threat related information and analysis and ensure
that this threat product is disseminated expeditiously and
appropriately. TTIC will have no new or independent authority
to engage in the collection of intelligence. TTIC will access,
integrate and analyze available threat information, collected
domestically and abroad, to provide a comprehensive threat
picture. TTIC members will continue to be bound by all applicable
privacy statutes, Executive Orders, and other relevant legal
authorities for protecting privacy and our Constitutional
liberties. Information technology and handling procedures
are consistent with the protection of our Constitutional liberties.
The FBI views TTIC as an important resource - an all-source
vehicle to provide integrated threat analysis to the FBI,
DHS, and other federal intelligence and law enforcement agencies,
which in turn, can quickly share that analysis with state
and local law enforcement who are essential partners in the
fight against terrorism. TTIC analytical products will be
shared with dozens of FBI Joint Terrorism Task Forces around
the country which include our state and local counterparts.
The FBI is committed to working with DHS to push this vital
information into the hands of those who need it most.
By September of next year, the FBI hopes to complete the planned
co-location of our counterterrorism operational elements into
a facility that will also house TTIC. Co-location is essential
in ensuring that the cooperation, which is so necessary for
our success, not only continues but grows in the years ahead
between the FBI, CIA, DHS and TTIC. The attacks of September
11th demonstrated that terrorism knows no boundaries - neither
should the agencies participating in TTIC - who when working
together greatly enhance the government's ability to stop
future acts and bring terrorists to justice.
In closing, on behalf of the men and women of the FBI, I would
like to thank each one of you for the tremendous support you
have given us. You have provided us with many new and vital
tools and with TTIC, I am confident that we can carry out
our mission to protect America. I again thank you for this
historic opportunity to appear at this joint hearing and I
will be happy to respond to your questions.
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