Fourth Annual Border Security Conference
8/12/2007
El Paso, TX
News
Congressman Reyes opens the fourth annual Border Security Conference at UTEP.
The El Paso Times ran an advance story on the Fourth Annual Border Security Conference at UTEP:
Meeting to discuss better collaboration with Mexico
By Louie Gilot / El Paso Times
El Paso Times
Article Launched:08/12/2007 12:00:00 AM MDT
The fourth annual Border Security Conference starts Monday at the University of Texas at El Paso and focuses this year on new strategies and technologies and on strengthening collaboration with Mexico, organizers said.
The event is also the first time Jose Rodriguez, who heads the National Clandestine Service, speaks publicly. He will participate in a panel Monday afternoon called "Strengthening Intelligence Through Diversity."
Retired Brig. Gen. Jose D. Riojas, vice president for strategic initiatives at UTEP, will also be on the panel.
"We will be addressing the value of diversity in our intelligence agencies, in the makeup of the pool of intelligence special agents," Riojas said. "It is more effective to have diversity so you get different points of view on a problem."
The conference, "Border Security Conference: Securing and Managing Our Nation's Borders," continues Tuesday at UTEP's Undergraduate Learning Center. It is free and open to the public.
Topics include emerging border security strategies, next-generation border security technologies, and strengthening intelligence through diversity and binational cooperation.
Military contractors such as Boeing, Lockheed Martin and SAIC will also showcase some new technology at booths outside the auditorium.
Other speakers include Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff and Director of National Intelligence Mike McConnell, both scheduled to speak Tuesday.
The event's creator, U.S. Rep. Silvestre Reyes, D-Texas, said he was proud to see the border security conference growing.
"Every year, we get more and more interest," he said.
"I have always stressed that discussions involving our nation's border security should include El Pasoans," he said. "If anyone wants real world examples of the challenges facing our nation's border security professionals, they need to travel to El Paso and talk with El Pasoans. This conference will cut through the rhetoric of the current debate and facilitate a cooperative dialogue to produce real results that will keep us safe."
Ann Quiroz Gates, professor and chairwoman of the computer science department at UTEP, is to speak in a panel called "Integrating Technology." She said that four or five professors in her department are currently working on projects with border security applications.
"We're developing expertise in that particular area and trying to get more funding," she said.
One researcher, for instance, is working on a computer program that would distinguish the features of people captured on surveillance cameras quickly and accurately.
Louie Gilot may be reached at lgilot@elpasotimes.com; 546-6131.
Make plans
What: "Border Security Conference: Securing and Managing Our Nation's Borders."
When: 1:30 p.m. Monday and 8:30 a.m. Tuesday.
Where: UTEP's Undergraduate Learning Center.
Cost: Free.
Can you go? Conference is open to the public.
Information: www.ia.utep.edu.
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