A Look Ahead: House Committee on Homeland Security
Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Rep. Peter T. King (R-NY), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, announced the following upcoming Committee events:
Wednesday, August 24
Preventing an Economic Shock Wave: Securing the Port of Houston from a Terrorist Attack
10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, August 24 at the Port of Houston Authority at 111 East Loop North Houston, Texas 77029
Subcommittee on Oversight, Investigations, and Management
Rep. Michael T. McCaul (TX), Chairman
INVITED WITNESSES INCLUDE:
Mr. Stephen Caldwell
Director
Maritime and Coast Guard Issues
Homeland Security and Justice Team
Government Accountability Office
CAPT Bill Diehl (USCG, Ret.)
President
Greater Houston Port Bureau, Inc.
Mr. James T. Edmonds
Chairman
The Port of Houston Authority
Sheriff Adrian Garcia
Harris County, Texas
Captain James H. Whitehead III
Sector Commander
Sector Houston-Galveston
U.S. Coast Guard
Chairman McCaul on the hearing:
“Osama bin Laden’s personal files found in his compound in Pakistan revealed a brazen idea to blow up oil tankers. The Port of Houston is perhaps the most target-rich environment. In addition to the tragic loss of life that would occur, an attack that stops the flow of roughly 25 percent of America’s oil imports could cripple our already struggling economy. If catastrophe struck the Port of Houston, there is little spare capacity to import and refine crude oil elsewhere in the country. Securing this high value target is essential to our national and economic security. This hearing will examine security in place to prevent such an attack, as well as measures not yet implemented.”
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