Bordallo Congratulates Port Authority of Guam for
Winning Port Security Grant:  Department of Homeland Security Grant Totals Over $500,000

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – December 10, 2003 – Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Madeleine Bordallo announced that Guam will receive $518,900 in federal support as part of a national effort to enhance security at key ports and facilities. The Department of Homeland Security initiative totals approximately $179,025,900 million dollars nationwide. The Port Security Grant Program provides resources for security planning and projects to improve dockside and perimeter security initiatives which are vital to securing critical seaports. This grant program represents one facet of the Department of Homeland Security’s system of improved defenses for our nation’s ports that includes monitoring crew, cargo and vessels entering our facilities from the time they leave a foreign port to the time they arrive in the United States. Federal funds will go toward a new wharf surveillance system and increased perimeter security for Guam’s port.

The Transportation Security Administration, United States Coast Guard and the Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration evaluated the Port Security Grant Applications and selected the award recipients. The latest round of grants has been designated to support 442 projects in 326 locations to 235 applicant organizations from across the nation.

“I applaud the Port Authority of Guam for applying for and winning this highly competitive federal grant. As the United States’ westernmost port, Guam reflects the front line of Homeland Security. These funds will help improve and secure our Port, which was badly damaged by Supertyphoon Pongsona,” Bordallo commented.

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Contact: Neil Weare in Washington, D.C., at (202) 225-1188 or Joaquin Perez in Guam at (671) 477-4272.