Congresswoman Jane harman - Press Release

June 11, 2002

HARMAN TESTIFIES ON
HOMELAND SECURITY REORGANIZATION

-- "A fitting tribute to the thousands of innocent people who died on 9/11/01
would be to create the Department of Homeland Security by 9/11/02." --

WASHINGTON D.C. - Rep. Jane Harman (D-CA), Ranking Member on the House Intelligence Subcommittee on Terrorism and Homeland Security, today called for quick bipartisan action in establishing a new Department of Homeland Security.

Harman - along with other lawmakers at the forefront of proposing a cabinet level homeland security department - testified at a hearing before the House Government Reform Subcommittee on National Security, Veterans Affairs and International Relations.

In her testimony, Harman stated, "We must remain focused on the goal: to prevent further terrorist attacks against America."

(left to right) Reps. Thornberry, Harman and Gibbons testifying on the establishment of a new Department of Homeland Security on June 11th
( Left to right ) Reps. Thornberry, Harman and Gibbons

"With the Administration's ambitious and bold proposal to create a Department of Homeland Security, the war on terrorism has expanded to the war on turf. We must win both."

Addressing the issue of how long it should take to create the new department, Harman added, "A fitting tribute to the thousands of innocent people who died on 9/11/01 would be to create the Department of Homeland Security by 9/11/02. Dedicated American workers have already removed all the debris from Ground Zero ahead of schedule. And they will complete repairs of the Pentagon ahead of schedule as well. Congress must now act in a bipartisan fashion to do its part to protect America by striving to approve a bill creating a new Department of Homeland Security at our extraordinary Congressional session in New York City on September 6, and to witness the signing ceremony at the Pentagon on 9-11."

( Left to right ) National Security Subcommitte Chairman Chris Shays, former Senator Warren Rudman, Rep. Ellen Tauscher and Rep. Harman
( Left to right ) National Security Subcommittee Chairman Chris Shays, former Senator Warren Rudman, Rep. Ellen Tauscher and Rep. Harman

Also appearing before the subcommittee were Sen. Joseph Lieberman (D-CT); Sen. Arlen Specter (R-PA); Rep. William "Mac" Thornberry (R-TX); Rep. Ellen Tauscher (D-CA); Rep. Jim Gibbons (R-NV); and former Senator Warren Rudman, chairman, US Commission on National Security/21st Century.

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