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October 11, 2002
Harman Outraged at Lack of National Homeland Security
Strategy
Concerned about Impact on South Bay, Congresswoman Blasts Bush Administration
for Inaction
EL SEGUNDO - Today, Rep. Harman met with first responders, technology
industry leaders and government officials to discuss the local impact
of stalled homeland security legislation. On July 26th, Harman was one
of 295 House Members to vote for the Homeland Security legislation, in
the hopes that it could be signed into law by September 11, 2002. This
legislation has stalled in the Senate, however, and may never get to the
President’s desk.
Concerned that the absence of an effective national homeland security
strategy, defined in the stalled legislation, will prevent South Bay residents
from being fully protected from a possible attack, Harman convened the
meeting to listen to frustrations and rally support for Senate and White
House action.
“Yesterday a bipartisan Congress agreed on a plan to dismantle weapons
of mass destruction in Iraq,” Harman stated. “But Iraq is not
our only security threat. My constituents are more concerned about the
potential suicide bomber next door than about Saddam Hussein. Our nation
desperately needs one integrated homeland security strategy and a team
accountable for implementing it. Yet thirteen months after 9/11 we are
getting nowhere.”
Harman added, “I have done everything possible to get past this
sticking point, but must reluctantly conclude that the White House’s
desire to accuse Senate Democrats of failing to compromise has replaced
any commitment it once had to meaningful homeland security policy. They
appear to prefer to play politics than to begin the critical reorganization
of federal government agencies. This stonewalling is outrageous, reckless
and irresponsible.”
Local leaders reported on the progress of homeland security measures
in the region but echoed Harman’s concern that the inaction in Washington,
D.C. limits their ability to fully protect citizens.
The discussion also focused on how the nation is not able to take advantage
of cutting-edge technologies for securing our homeland because there remains
no centralized mechanism for identifying and adopting such private sector
innovations. Aubrey Chernick, Chairman and CEO of Candle Corporation which
hosted the event, and other business leaders and local first responders
reviewed technologies and strategies that need to be part of a national
plan.
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