Since September 11th, the federal government has greatly
increased efforts to prevent terrorist threats. The Department
of Homeland Security was created, combining 22 government agencies
under one roof. The U.S. has beefed up its security and provided
additional resources to protect our 4,000 mile border with Canada.
Congress has also acted to protect air travelers and to help
law enforcement root out Al Qaeda cells.
In protecting our homeland, Senator Conrad believes we must remember
that it is our police officers, firefighters, and health professionals
who are truly the first line of defense in preventing and responding
to terrorist threats. One of the vital lessons we learned on September
11th was that emergency personnel must develop compatible communications.
Whether first responders work for the county, the city, the state or
the federal government, they must communicate quickly and effectively
when disaster strikes. We simply must provide adequate training and
resources for these "homeland heroes."
Bioterrorism preparedness is a particular challenge. It is important
to note that many types of bioterrorist attacks are difficult to contain.
If the initial attack happens in a faraway city, for example, all it
takes is for one infected traveler from that city to visit North Dakota
for our state to have an outbreak.
Senator Conrad is working to harness America's advanced technologies
to leverage cost-efficient high tech responses to homeland security
threats. In particular, Senator Conrad has developed Smart Border legislation.
This legislation, which was signed into law in 2004, directs the Department
of Homeland Security to institute a high-tech pilot project that uses
sensors, cameras, unmanned aircraft, and advanced computing technology
to monitor remote stretches of the northern Border with Canada. The
Smart Border project will give the Border Patrol more tools to assess
and respond quickly to potential threats.
In 2004, Senator Conrad supported the Intelligence Reform
bill, which authorized 2,000 new patrol agents for our borders
annually. More recently, he helped secure language in the FY
2006 Homeland Security appropriations bill to fund the addition
of 1,000 new border agents. Senator Conrad also won $2 million
in border security funds to establish a Customs and Border Protection Air Branch in Grand
Forks that will help monitor remote stretches of our northern
border. He then secured an additional $17 million in the FY
2007 appropriations bill to accelerate the establishment of
the Air Branch.
Further, Senator Conrad supported the Secure Fence Act in 2006
which directs the Department of Homeland Security to construct
reinforced fencing and additional barriers and detection equipment
along five stretches of the southern border, totaling roughly
850 miles.
Safety depends on preparation. Senator Conrad is confident that, in
the North Dakota tradition of working together, we can meet any challenge
head on and make our state and country as safe and secure as possible.
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Senator Conrad speaks with Border Security Guards
Press
Sen. Conrad's
speech on Osama bin Laden and the war in Iraq.
(03-29-04)
Senator
Conrad says the war in Iraq is a misplaced priority"
(03-29-04) (.mp3)
Letter
to Secretary Ridge Regarding a Lack of Local Input on New ND-Canadian
Border Hours
(10-28-03)
Links
Department
of Homeland Security
Ready.gov
FBI
Counterterrorism Division
TSA
Advice for How to Prepare for Airport Screening
Center
for Disease Control Emergency Preparedness and Response
Office
of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Homeland Defense |