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Contact: Ellia Thompson HARMAN HOSTS SECOND SENIOR FORUM ON HOMELAND SECURITY
[printer friendly format] TORRANCE, February 18 - Joined by Torrance police and fire officials, US Congresswoman Jane Harman (D-Redondo Beach), the Ranking Democrat on the House Select Intelligence Subcommittee on Terrorism and Homeland Security, hosted a meeting with senior citizens on local efforts to ensure their safety against possible terrorist attacks. Harman convened a similar meeting at Perry Park Senior Center in Redondo Beach last month. "I am working with local police, fire and emergency personnel to identify the necessary resources to protect Southern California residents," stated Harman. "One of the most important issues I am working on is to make sure all of our first responders are able to communicate effectively to one another in the event of a wide-spread emergency." Harman recently secured $1 million in federal funds to help LA County develop an "interoperable" radio communications system that all law enforcement agencies can use during emergencies. In her remarks, Harman also touched on other issues such as protecting Social Security and Medicare and providing a Medicare prescription drug program. "Although the ongoing terrorist threat demands an aggressive response from Congress, spending on defense and homeland security must be judicious. Other critical issues remain on our agenda in Washington," stated Harman. Harman said she has called on the Bush administration and her Congressional colleagues to develop a new "war time" budget that provides the money needed to fund the war on terrorism and improvements for our homeland security without raiding the Social Security and Medicare trust funds. "As the year progresses, it is important to avoid going back into deficit spending. After funding the war against terrorism, everything else must be on the table - other spending proposals and the scheduled tax cuts. If we do not work out a new budget, we risk threatening both the Medicare and Social Security trust funds." Harman was joined by Jim Lynch, Torrance Police Intelligence Officer,
and Torrance Fire Battalion Chief Dennis Coaker. The officers updated
seniors on law enforcement efforts in the South Bay to prevent and prepare
for possible terrorist attacks. #### Home | Lobby | Congresswoman Harman's Office | Press | Issues | Casework | District Office | Library | Webmaster | Privacy Policy | Contact
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