Senator Meets USO Marine of the Year

Senator Murray meets with Staff Sergeant Matthew Anderson, who has been named Marine of the Year by the USO. Sergeant Anderson is from Poulsbo, WA – he is currently stationed in San Diego.




According to his platoon, Staff Sergeant Anderson continually puts himself in a position of danger in order to be the most effective during combat operations. He is able to quickly anticipate the point of friction and eliminate any problems that may arise, consistently exceeding what is expected of him.




During one ambush on his platoon he led an assault on a suspected enemy position, which lead to the discovery of an illegal weapons and ammunition cache. On another occasion he maneuvered his vehicle through a cloud of smoke and debris, ensuring that the rest of his convoy did not become trapped in a kill zone.




Sergeant Anderson is participating in a USO program – Operation Care Package – that makes up care packages and mails them to soldiers serving overseas.

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Senator Murray Questions Defense Secretary Rumsfeld about $87 Billion Supplemental Request

Murray wants to ensure that we have a plan to protect our troops, who are being attacked nearly everyday, and to complete the mission successfully. As of 9/23/03, 307 Americans have been killed in Iraq; from the end of combat operations on 5/1/03 to 9/23/03, 167 Americans have been killed.

Pictured next to Secretary Donald Rumsfeld is Dr. Dov Zakheim, Under Secretary of Defense and Comptroller.

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Visiting Port of Tacoma

Senator Murray toured the newly renovated administration facility and received a briefing from Port officials on Hylebos clean-up, the Blair waterway expansions project, and Operation Safe Commerce. Murray's Remarks

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Fighting for Homeland Security

Senator Murray joins fellow members of the Senate Appropriations Homeland Security Subcommittee in marking up the Department of Homeland Security funding bill for FY’05. Senator Murray has been calling on the Administration to develop uniform cargo security standards, which would help make the cargo entering our nation’s ports safer. The Subcommittee agreed to include her language in passing the bill, and the bill will now move to the full committee for consideration.

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Surgeon General Nominee Meets With Murray

Senator Murray met with U.S. Surgeon General nominee Dr. Richard Carmona.

They discussed several issues including: the Federal Government's response to bioterrorism, and reducing injuries on our highways.

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Sen. Murray meets with Ellen Engleman, the Administrator of the Research & Special Programs Administration (RSPA) at the U.S. Dept. of Transportation.

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Murray Visits Aberdeen Firefighters

Senator Murray visited the Aberdeen Fire Department and met with firefighters to learn first hand how awards from Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program are used on the ground. The Aberdeen Fire Dept. has been successful in obtaining funding from the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program all three years the program has been in existence.



Funding & purchase: (Dollars below are the Federal share)


FY 2001: $69,000 to purchase a live-fire mobile training trailer



FY 2002: $40,950 to install special “quick connector” fittings on hydrants throughout the city, which means that it now takes firefighters a just few seconds to hock up to the hydrants.



FY 2003: $56,700 to purchase new personal protective clothing

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Aboard the U.S.S. Lincoln, Murray Praises Returning Crew

Murray got cheers from the crew when she referred to ship’s famous “U-turn.” On January 1, 2002, the Lincoln was headed home after successful missions supporting the war in Afghanistan. It was then ordered back to the Gulf to support future operations in Iraq. The commander told the crew to “get over it,” which led some crew members to make a t-shirt saying “U-Turn. Get over it.” Murray referred to the events in her remarks and drew laughter and cheers from the crew.

Read Remarks (05/06/03)

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At The Blaine Border Crossing

Senator Murray started her two-week Easter recess by visiting the Blaine border crossing. She had the opportunity to thank some of the men and women who have been working around the clock to secure our borders since September, 11th. (03/25/02)

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The Future of Port Security: The GreenLane Maritime Cargo Security Act - Senator Collins

Senator Collins:




Today, the Committee considers the GreenLane Maritime Cargo Security Act, which Senator Patty Murray and I introduced last November with our colleagues Senator Lieberman and Senator Coleman. I am pleased to be joined in this bipartisan, bicameral effort by two of our House colleagues, Representatives Dan Lungren and Jane Harman,
two leaders of this issue.




This hearing builds on our extensive efforts to enhance the security of our nation’s maritime transportation system and the international supply chain. Seaports are more than waterfront facilities. They are crucial links in a supply chain that includes all modes of transportation and that reaches across the country and around the world. They also are profoundly and unacceptably at risk.




The urgency cannot be overstated. Approximately 95
percent of our nation’s trade, worth nearly $1 trillion, enters or leaves through our seaports. Our ports receive some 8,555 foreign vessels, which make more than 55,000 calls per year. These ships carry the bulk of the approximately 800 million tons of goods that came into our country, including more than 175 billion gallons of oil and other fuels.




In fiscal year 2005, these vessels also brought more than eleven million containers. The number of containers entering this country by sea continues to grow by more than 10 percent per year. While this figure represents robust trade, it also
signals a considerable risk to our nation’s security.




Full Testimony | Hearing Transcript




More on GreenLane

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Working to Secure Our Nation's Ports

Senator Murray and Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY) received a security briefing at the Port of Seattle, viewed a technology demonstration and toured the Coast Guard's new small response boat (pictured behind them), which is made in Port Orchard, WA. Both Senators represent some of the nation's busiest cargo ports (Murray's Seattle/Tacoma is the 3rd busiest; Clinton's New York/New Jersey is the 2nd busiest).




"I asked Senator Clinton to join me at the Port of Seattle today because there are a lot of similarities between this Port and the Port of New York/New Jersey: both are among the largest container ports in the country, both are participating in Operation Safe Commerce, both have heavy ferry and cruise ship traffic, and both are located right next to the city's downtown core. It's critical that we do all can to keep our ports secure and to learn from each other. I've visited Senator Clinton's port and today she's visiting one of mine. Full Remarks




More on Port Security

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The Future of Port Security: The GreenLane Maritime Cargo Security Act - Rep. Jane Harman

Rep. Jane Harman:




"Central to success – on port security and the war on terrorism in general – is better intelligence and better technology. These two coordinates apply as much to immigration and border points of entry as they do to port security. Timely, accurate information and intelligence is the major lynchpin to the battle on terrorism. We can lock the front and back doors to terrorists, but we can be assured they will try to find a side door. Higher fences are not the answer: experience shows that those intent on entering will find a way. But if we “know” the person or item to look for, we can use resources to keep them out – or find them in our midst. Better intelligence is the key to container security and border security."




Full Testimony | Hearing Transcript




More on GreenLane

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Ensuring the Coast Guard Can Fulfill All of Its Missions<br><br> More on <a href="http://murray.senate.gov/coast_guard">Coast Guard</a>

Today, Senator Murray questioned Coast Guard Admiral Tom Collins at a hearing of the Senate Homeland Security Appropriations subcommittee. A new report to Congress found a dramatic decline in traditional Coast Guard missions, like drug interdiction, marine safety and fisheries enforcement. Murray, who has championed increased funding for the Coast Guard, wants to ensure the Coast Guard fulfills all of its missions.
More on the report (05/01/03)

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Praising Our Hardworking Service Men and Women

During her visit, Senator Murray stated, "these troops are providing valuable support to local law enforcement officials, often at great personal sacrifice." (03/25/02)

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Protecting Our Communities

Don’t cut funding for emergency planning and first responders. That was the message Senator Murray delivered today at a hearing where she questioned Michael Brown, the Undersecretary for Emergency Preparedness and Response at the Department of Homeland Security. President Bush’s budget would hurt our local communities’ ability to respond to disasters by: cutting first responder grants to states by $990 million, cutting training for first responders by $103 million, eliminating the COPS program, and cutting other law enforcement grants.




When Murray told Undersecretary Brown that the President’s cuts would force local communities to either come up with extra money or terminate emergency personnel, Brown replied, “We would just ask the states to see if they can’t find money to keep those people in place . . .” Senator Murray reminded him that during these tough budget times, the federal government cannot keep passing the cost of homeland security onto our state and local communities.


Listen to audio – More Details

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America’s Bioterrorism Response

Senator Murray questions federal officials about our nation’s readiness for a bioterrorist attack. Murray serves on the Senate HELP Committee, where she worked on the Bioterrorism Act, which passed the Senate in May 2002 (Details) In January 2003, Murray outlined her concerns with the smallpox response plan (Details).

(Left to Right): Dr. Julie Gerberding (Director, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), Dr. Mark McClellan, M.D. (Commissioner, Food and Drug Administration), Dr. Elias Zerhouni (Director, National Institutes of Health) and (not pictured) Dr. Dr. Anthony Fauci (Director, National Institute of Allergy & Infectious Disease).

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Tracking Cargo Containers, Protecting Our Ports

Senator Murray joins Port of Seattle CEO Mic Dinsmore and Sakthip Krairiksh, Thai Ambassador, at a port security press conference touting a new security demonstration project, STAR-Best. The project partners the Port of Seattle with the Port of Laem Chabang to track cargo containers from Thailand through their arrival in the United States. Murray's Remarks

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Fighting for Fully Funding Port Security

Senator Murray speaks out on the President's homeland security budget that eliminates Operation Safe Commerce and underfunds the Marine Transportation Security Act.




"The truth about the President’s homeland security budget is that the rhetoric doesn’t match the reality. Our nation’s ports are an essential component of our economic infrastructure, and they represent one of our greatest vulnerabilities, but the Administration’s budget will weaken our investment in port security." Full Remarks | Video

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Colin Powell Appears Before the Senate Appropriations Committee

Senator Murray questioned Secretary of State Colin Powell during a hearing on Homeland Security. (04/30/02)

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Senators Murray, Collins and Lieberman Share a Light Moment at Hearing on GreenLane Maritime Cargo Security Act

Port security legislation authored by Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman Susan Collins (R-ME), Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Ranking Committee Member Joe Lieberman (D-CT) and Senator Norm Coleman (R-MN) passed the Committee today and is awaiting consideration by the full Senate.




More




More on GreenLane

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Murray Meets with North Central WA Community Leaders

Senator Murray joins a roundtable discussion on transportation, homeland security and unfunded mandates with community leaders from Douglas and Chelan counties.

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A Massive Homecoming for the U.S.S. Lincoln

The U.S.S. Lincoln returned to Naval Station Everett, its home port, on May 6 after a 10-month deployment, the longest deployment on record for a nuclear-powered carrier. An estimated 18,000 people jammed two piers to welcome the crew home.

On May 1, Senators Murray and Cantwell honored the crew with a Senate resolution. About the resolution (05/06/03)

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Murray Helps Commission First Marine Safety and Security Team (MSST)

Because of Senator Murray's work, the Puget Sound received the first Marine Safety and Security Team (MSST) in the nation, which was commissioned on July 3, 2002 at a ceremony at Pier 36.

These highly-trained and well-armed crews can operate under the threat of hostile chemical, biological or radiological attacks.

Senator Murray speaks with crew members after the commissioning ceremony. (07/03/02)

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Murray Tours Public Health Lab

The state Public Health Laboratory is Washington's first line of defense against bioterrorism.

Senator Murray worked in the Senate to pass a bill that provides $4 billion to prevent and respond to bioterrorism.

Senator Murray toured the facility with Mary Selecky, state Secretary of Health, pictured at left.

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GreenLane Maritime Cargo Security Act

Senator Murray and Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine) announce their introduction of the GreenLane Maritime Cargo Security Act. Murray, a member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security, and Collins, Chairman of the full Senate Homeland Security Committee, co-authored the bill to improve the security of the millions of cargo containers that enter America's ports unchecked each year. Senators Norm Coleman (R-MN) and Joseph Lieberman (D-CT) are original cosponsors of this legislation.




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Murray's Remarks - | Bill Summary | Bill Details | Glossary of Terms

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Murray Unveil's Nation's First Cargo Security Initiative

Today, Senator Murray unveiled a first-in-the-nation pilot program to reduce security vulnerabilities for cargo entering the ports of Seattle and Tacoma.

A high-tech device called a "smart seal" is attached to a cargo container when it is loaded in Hong Kong or Singapore. The seal continuously relays the container's position to officials and alerts them if anyone tries to tamper with the cargo while it's in transit.

This chart illustrates how the new inspection system will operate. (07/11/02)

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Murray Helps Break Ground at the Spokane Readiness Center

Senator Murray joins, federal, state and local officials to break ground on a 69,000-square-foot facility in east Spokane that will house the Guard's Spokane operation.




Senator Murray successfully authorized the project in the FY03 Defense Authorization and secured another $8.8 Million in additional funding in the FY03 Military Construction bill.




"This building will always stand as a symbol of our respect for you and our gratitude for your service," Murray told the Guard members. More

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Supporting Our Firefighters

Senator Murray meets with Washington firefighters Pat McElligott, Tacoma Fire Fighters Local 31, and Olympia Firefighter Kelly Fox, president of the Washington State Council of Firefighters.

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"It Takes More Than Duct Tape"

Senator Murray, along w/Senators Durbin, Schumer, Stabenow and Byrd, call for a new supplemental appropriations bill to fund homeland security

Murray's Remarks

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Murray Examines the President's $87 Billion Supplemental Request

Seated next to Senator Murray from left to right are: Senator Feinstein (D-CA) and Senator Dorgan (D-ND)

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The Future of Port Security: The GreenLane Maritime Cargo Security Act - Rep. Daniel Lungren

Rep. Daniel Lungren:




"Let me pause here and take a moment to recognize the nature of this endeavor by Senators Collins and Murray. I think it is important to note that neither this effort in the Senate, nor the companion effort in the House with the “Security and Accountability For Every Port Act,” is an afterthought to the recent Dubai Port World controversy. Senator Collins, Senator Murray and Senator Lieberman began work on this bill months before the now defunct acquisition of U.S. port operations by a United Arab Emirates-owned company made headlines around the country. Similarly, we had begun work in the House. Rather, I believe that the hullabaloo surrounding the DPW deal injected a sense of urgency in to the need for important port security reform."




Full Testimony | Hearing Transcript

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Securing Our Ports

Senator Murray meets with Admiral James Loy, the outgoing Deputy Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, to discuss her ongoing concern for improving cargo security.




More on Port Security

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Murray's Port Security Bill Becomes Law

President Bush today signed into law legislation authored by Senator Murray that will dramatically improve the security of America's ports and cargo container system.




"Today marks the beginning of a new approach to the way this country protects its ports, its economy, and its people." said Senator Murray. "September 11th taught us all about our country's many vulnerabilities, and in the days following the attack my effort to safeguard our nation's ports began. After five long years of work, today's signing represents a tremendous victory in the effort to bring real security to the American people. "




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Helping Tacoma Lead the Way on High-Tech Security Advances

Senator Murray joins representatives of the Port of Tacoma, Coast Guard, Customs, DNDO, port workers, and members of the Tacoma business community to celebrate the placement of the Intermodal Radiation Test Center at the Port of Tacoma. The Intermodal Test Center will pioneer new technology in cargo radiation screening that will allow trains to be screened for radiological materials.




The center was established as part of Senator Murray's landmark SAFE Ports Act which was signed into law last October. Murray also secured $5 million to fund the center in the 2007 Emergency Supplemental bill which is being debated in Congress.




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Murray Questions Homeland Security Director<br><br> More on <a href="http://murray.senate.gov/homeland_security/">Homeland Security</a>

Senator Murray questioned Tom Ridge, secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, at a hearing today. Murray serves on the Senate’s Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee. (04/27/03)

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Opening a New National Guard Facility in Yakima

Senator Murray secured funding for a facility to maintain and repair National Guard vehicles at the training center in Yakima.

Murray attended the ribbon cutting and thanked members of Washington's National Guard for their service. (03/27/02)

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Murray Pushes for Fairchild AFB's 36th Rescue Flight

Air Force Secretary Michael Wynne (left) answers questions from Senator Murray (right) about the future of the 36th Rescue Flight at Fairchild Air Force Base. The 4 helicopters and crew support the Air Force's Survival School and perform hundreds of civilian search and rescue operations in Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana. President Bush's budget proposed eliminating the unit, but Senator Murray has been advocating for its future. At this hearing, Secretary Wynne told Murray that the Air Force is reconsidering its decision and is looking for funding to keep the unit at Fairchild.




Details




Audio

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Working with Our Emergency Responders

Senator Murray discusses the security needs of areas in Western Washington with Seattle Police Chief Gil Kerlikowske and Pierce County Sheriff Paul Pastor.

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Murray Gets a Close Up Look at a Coast Guard MSST SAFE Boat

Senator Murray listens to Scott Peterson, SAFE Boat company’s Vice President, during a tour of the production facility. SAFE Boats recently won a $145 million contract to build as many as 700 boats for the U.S. Coast Guard. Murray secured $41 million last year to stand-up four Marine Safety and Security Teams, and directed that one team be stationed in Seattle. These Coast Guard “SWAT Teams” use Safe Boat craft to conduct their anti-terrorism missions. Murray's Remarks

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The Future of Port Security: The GreenLane Maritime Cargo Security Act - Mic Dinsmore, CEO, Port of Seattle

Mic Dinsmore:




"The Port of Seattle is very committed to ensuring that our port and those throughout the world are as safe as possible. We recognize that any terrorist incident that might occur at our facilities would have a disastrous effect not only on our business, but on the world economy. We saw some indication of those effects a few years ago when there was a 10-day west coast port “lockout” and manufacturing plants in the Midwest began shutting down. A recent study cited a loss of $1 billion daily to the national economy as a result of the lockout."




Full Testimony | Hearing Transcript




More on GreenLane

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Murray Named "Port Person of the Year" by the American Association of Port Authorities

Senator Murray was presented with the American Association of Port Authorities' "Port Person of the Year" award this morning at the Association's annual Spring Conference.




Murray was introduced and presented with the award by Charlie Sheldon, Managing Director of the Port of Seattle's seaport division. Joining Sheldon in presenting the award were Jack Fabulich, the Port of Tacoma's Commissioner, Rick Larrabee, the NY/NJ Port Authority’s Director of Port Commerce and John Mohr, executive director of the Port of Everett.




"I will continue to make sure we are protecting our citizens, protecting our communities, and maintaining the efficient commerce system that supports jobs and our economy," Murray said in a keynote speech accepting the award. "I want to make sure that as we work to make our ports more secure we don't kill the efficiency that makes you so effective. If we don't address port security in a coordinated, comprehensive way, the American people will not be safe, and our economy will be threatened."




Port leaders throughout Washington state praised Murray for championing port security, fighting cuts to Army Corps of Engineers dredging projects, investing in port infrastructure, and funding freight mobility initiatives.
Full Release

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Fighting for Operation Safe Commerce

Senator Murray meets with leaders from the nation’s largest ports for an update on Operation Safe Commerce, a port security initiative that Murray created in 2002. Pictured from left to right: Bill Ellis (Port of Long Beach), George Cummings (Port of Los Angeles), Senator Murray, Beth Rooney (Port of New York/New Jersey). Not pictured: Mike Zachary (Ports of Tacoma and Seattle).




In his FY 2005 budget, President Bush eliminates Operation Safe Commerce, and cuts Port Security Grants by 63%. Murray is using her position on the Budget Committee to fight those cuts and protect our ports and communities.




More on port security.

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Murray Celebrates First Container Shipment Tracked by Operation Safe Commerce

Senator Murray joined with port, security, and trade leaders at the Port of Tacoma to celebrate the arrival of the first container shipment tracked by Operation Safe Commerce. Murray created the initiative to increase security at our nation’s ports.



"We can’t search every container that comes into our country. With more than 6 million a year, the haystack is just too big. So instead we’re using technology and intelligence to make the haystack smaller and show us which containers pose a security risk. Simply put, we’re creating a better way to protect our ports, our communities and our economy, and I’m proud to join with all of you in launching this new era. What we’re doing is important for us here in Puget Sound but also for our entire country. That’s because Operation Safe Commerce lays the foundation for a new national port security regime that is both secure and efficient."

Full Remarks | More on Port Security

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Murray Updated by U.S. Transportation Secretary Mineta

Senator Murray receives an update on transportation security from U.S. Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta. Also attending the meeting is John Magaw, Undersecretary of Transportation for Security.

Both Mineta and Magaw have testified before the Senate Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee, which Senator Murray chairs. (04/23/02)

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Senator Murray Receives a Briefing on How HAZMAT Equipment is Deployed in the Field

Senator Murray joined Snohomish County law enforcement and fire officials at a Law Enforcement Roundtable in Snohomish County  to discuss steep cuts in federal emergency responder grants the President has proposed. First responders rely on these grants to train and prepare for terrorist attacks and natural disasters.

Learn more about the President's proposed cuts.

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Murray Recognized for Commitment to Emergency Management & Homeland Security

Senator Murray is awarded the Congressional Recognition Award for her contributions in recognizing emergency management and homeland security by the National Emergency Management Association (NEMA).



“Her wisdom and leadership have been a guiding force in achieving a safer environment for our citizens, communities and our nation," said Glen Woodbury, Washington State’s Emergency Management Director.


Glen Woodbury is pictured with Senator Murray.



Murray's Remarks

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Groundbreaking for Naval Station Everett's Fleet Regional Readiness Center

Senator Murray is joined by Congressman Larsen, community leaders and the leadership team at Naval Station Everett as they break ground on the new Fleet Region Readiness Center. 

Senator Murray secured $11 million for this facility that will provide cutting edge training for sailors, and allow them to avoid spending weeks away from home for training.

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Murray Warns Administration On Passenger Privacy

At a hearing on Homeland Defense, Senator Murray warned the Bush Administration that plans to conduct more invasive searches at airport checkpoints threaten personal dignity and could cause a drop in air travel.

Airport screeners will soon begin opening up the luggage of more than half of passengers, at three-quarters of the nation's airports. Murray warned that many passengers may choose not to fly if they will have their bags pored through by federal agents in full public view. (05/01/02)

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Murray Unveil's Nation's First Cargo Security Initiative

Today, Senator Murray unveiled a first-in-the-nation pilot program to reduce security vulnerabilities for cargo entering the ports of Seattle and Tacoma.

Sen. Murray is holding a "smart seal." This high-tech device is attached to a cargo container when it is loaded in Hong Kong or Singapore. The seal continuously relays the container's position to officials and alerts them if anyone tries to tamper with the cargo while it's in transit. (07/11/02)

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Security at the Port of Tacoma

Senator Murray meets with Andrea Riniker, executive director of the Port of Tacoma, to discuss Operation Safe Commerce and infrastructure improvements. The port’s activities account for more than 28,000 jobs in Pierce County, and 101,000 jobs in Washington state.




More about Port Security

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Responding to Bioterrorism

During her tour, Senator Murray was briefed by microbiologist Jay Lewis (left) on new DNA fingerprinting technology used to track foodborne diseases in the country.

Pictured next to Murray is Dr. Romesh Gautom, Director of the agency's Public Health Laboratories. (05/29/02)

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Pacific Northwest Waterways Association

Senator Murray listens to a question from Kim Puzey, general manager of the Port of Umatilla in Oregon. Kim is a member of the Pacific Northwest Waterways Association.




Last year, PNWA named Senator Murray it’s "Legislator of the Year." During their visits with Congressional leaders, PNWA members are seeking support for Senator Murray’s bipartisan port security bill, the GreenLane Maritime Cargo Security Act.

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Murray Outlines Priorities for the 110th Congress

In her first speech on the Senate floor in 2007, Senator Murray speaks about some of her priorities for the new session of the 110th Congress.




Listen to Murray's Speech

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