First Responder Anti-Terrorism Training Resources Act
Floor Speech
FIRST RESPONDER ANTI-TERRORISM TRAINING RESOURCES ACT -- (House of Representatives - December 15, 2009)
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Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the First Responder Anti-Terrorism Training Resources Act.
H.R. 3978, which I introduced last month, ensures that first responders who train at East Alabama's Center for Domestic Preparedness have access to even better training resources. As many here know, the Center for Domestic Preparedness, located in my district in Anniston, Alabama, delivers one-of-a-kind training to America's emergency responders. It's our Nation's premier all-hazards training center. It's also the only federally chartered weapons of mass destruction training center in the Nation. Responders from all 50 States, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. territories have trained at the CDP. In fact, this year the CDP celebrated its 500,000th graduate.
Like other first responder training centers, often the CDP receives offers of donations, such as railcars, trailers, and emergency response equipment, to assist their training courses. However, since the CDP's activities are conducted under the 9/11 Act of 2007 rather than the Stafford Act, the CDP lacks the legal authority to accept donations that could further training resources.
My bill fixes that problem. It amends the 9/11 Act so that the CDP may accept donations of property and services for anti ter ror ism and training activities. It's a win-win for our first responders, the taxpayer, and this important east Alabama training facility.
I would like to thank my good friend from Texas (Mr. Cuellar) for supporting this bill and holding a markup in the subcommittee last month. I would also like to thank the full committee chairman, Mr. Thompson, for holding a markup in the full committee.
I urge my colleagues to support this important measure.
Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.
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