Thompson Statement in Support of the Department of Homeland Security Component Privacy Officer Act
(WASHINGTON) - On Tuesday, March 24, 2009, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security submitted the following statement in support of H.R. 1617, the Department of Homeland Security Component Privacy Officer Act of 2009.
"I rise today in support of H.R. 1617, the Department of Homeland Security Component Privacy Officer Act of 2009.
The Department’s Chief Privacy Officer has the distinction of being the first-ever statutorily-created Federal Privacy Officer.
Along those same lines, this bill, introduced by Representative Carney, the Chairman of our Management Subcommittee, would make DHS the first Federal agency to have statutorily-required privacy officers in all its major component agencies.
To be effective, privacy Officers need to be where the action is happening, not waiting for notice after key decisions have already been made.
However, currently, if the Department’s Chief Privacy Officer needs information concerning programs and policies that impact privacy rights, he has to go through the head of the relevant component.
Sometimes this information is shared, sometimes it is not.
When it is not, we have seen major privacy missteps, wasted Federal tax dollars, and even cancelled programs.
Under this bill, the Transportation Security Administration, Customs and Border Protection, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, FEMA, and Coast Guard are among the key components that would receive a privacy officer.
Placing Privacy Officers in these key component agencies is the first step in ensuring that privacy protections are in place at the beginning of the policymaking process.
This bill was informed by an investigation by the Government Accountability Office, internal discussions with the Department’s Office of Privacy, and publications released by the DHS Chief Privacy Officer.
Moreover, this legislation was approved overwhelmingly by voice vote when considered by the House in the 110th Congress.
I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this legislation that will help ensure the effective operations of the Department of Homeland Security."
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FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Please contact Dena Graziano or Adam Comis at (202) 225-9978
