A Look Ahead: House Committee on Homeland Security

Washington, D.C. (Tuesday, July 5, 2011) – Today, ¬U.S. Rep. Peter T. King (R-NY), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, announced the following upcoming Committee events:

Thursday, July 7

Homeland Security Investigations: Examining DHS’s Efforts to Protect American Jobs and Secure the Homeland
10:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 7 in 311 Cannon House Office Building

Subcommittee on Oversight, Investigations, and Management
Rep. Michael McCaul (TX), Chairman

INVITED WITNESSES INCLUDE:

Mr. Brian Toohey
President
Semiconductor Industry Association

Mr. Michael Russo
Director of Global Security and Product Protection
Eli Lilly and Company

Mr. Mario Mancuso
Partner
Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP

Ms. Jena Baker McNeill
Senior Policy Analyst, Homeland Security
The Heritage Foundation

Chairman McCaul on the hearing:
“When counterfeit prescription drugs enter the marketplace or cheap imitation parts breach a semiconductor manufacturing plant, it costs American businesses revenue and jobs.  When sensitive equipment falls into the hands of rogue nations, it poses a threat to our national security.  It is the responsibility of the Department of Homeland Security to protect intellectual property, safeguard against counterfeit goods, maintain the integrity of export supply chains, and to ensure that businesses are in compliance with our immigration laws in order to maintain a level playing field.  The private sector will testify to the effectiveness of DHS' current enforcement measures and their impact on the bottom line of our nation's job creators.”

Hezbollah in Latin America – Implications for U.S. Homeland Security
2:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 7 in 311 Cannon House Office Building

Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence
Rep. Patrick Meehan (PA), Chairman

INVITED WITNESSES INCLUDE:

Mr. Ilan Berman
Vice President
American Foreign Policy Council

Mr. Douglas Farah
Senior Fellow
The International Assessment and Strategy Center

Ambassador Roger F. Noriega
Visiting Fellow
The American Enterprise Institute

Chairman Meehan on the hearing:
“This week’s hearing will focus on the expansion of Hezbollah’s operations in Latin America, specifically its patronage from Iran, its already close relationship with Venezuela’s President Hugo Chavez, and its growing relationship with drug-trafficking organizations.

“Hezbollah – a Shiite Islamist militia and U.S. State Department-designated terrorist organization – has previously used its extensive terrorist networks throughout the world to conduct attacks on American civilians and military personnel. Hezbollah has also perpetrated numerous terror attacks in Latin America, most notoriously is the 1992 attack on the Israeli Embassy in Buenos Aires, Argentina and two years later at the Argentine Jewish Mutual Association (AMIA) building in Buenos Aires.

“The emerging alliance between one of the most dangerous terrorist organizations in the world, Hezbollah, the number one state sponsor of terrorism, Iran, and a sworn enemy of the United States, Venezuela - all in the backyard of the United States is deeply troubling. It is a dynamic and emerging issue for the counterterrorism and Intelligence Community which is only likely to metastasize. These are serious issues which require vigilance and an honest inquiry by the U.S. Congress.”

Friday, July 8

Communicating with the Public During Emergencies: An Update on Federal Alert and Warning Efforts
10:00 a.m. on Friday, July 8 in 311 Cannon House Office Building

Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Communications
Rep. Gus M. Bilirakis (FL), Chairman

INVITED WITNESSES INCLUDE:

Mr. Damon Penn
Assistant Administrator
National Continuity Programs
Federal Emergency Management Agency

RADM James Barnett (ret.)
Chief
Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau
Federal Communications Commission

Mr. Chris Guttman-McCabe
Vice President, Regulatory Affairs
CTIA – The Wireless Association

Ms. Suzanne Goucher
President and CEO
Maine Association of Broadcasters
*testifying on behalf of the National Alliance of State Broadcasters Associations

Chairman Bilirakis on the hearing: 
“Timely communication is vital in an emergency and the availability of critical information can help individuals protect themselves from harm. This hearing will provide Subcommittee Members with an opportunity to hear from representatives from FEMA, the FCC, and their private sector partners about efforts to provide timely alerts and warnings to the public.“

Tuesday, July 12

Protecting the Maritime Borders -- Leveraging Law Enforcement Cooperation to Enhance Security Along America’s Coasts
10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, July 12 in 311 Cannon House Office Building

Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security
Rep. Candice Miller (MI), Chairman

Witnesses to be announced

Subcommittee Hearing: Industry Perspectives: Authorizing the Transportation Security Administration for FY 2012 and 2013
2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 12 in 311 Cannon House Office Building

Subcommittee on Transportation Security
Rep. Mike Rogers (AL), Chairman

Witnesses to be announced

Wednesday, July 13

Subcommittee Hearing: Securing Federal Facilities: Challenges of the Federal Protective Service and the Need For Reform
10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 13 in 311 Cannon House Office Building

Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection, and Security Technologies
Rep. Daniel E. Lungren (CA), Chairman

Witnesses to be announced

***See www.homeland.house.gov for updates.

***Coverage note:  All Committee on Homeland Security hearings are webcast live at www.homeland.house.gov.

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