What Is Homeland Security?

What Is Homeland Security?
02/11/05

After September 11th, 2001, it became clear to Congress that the federal government was not doing enough to protect America from terrorists. Before then, we though our enemies were from countries who were competing with us to get the most weapons. Most of us couldn't imagine that our enemies were among us. The terrorists were enemies who had infiltrated America and using our own airplanes and building against us. On that day, we learned that we had to change our thinking and start worrying about "homeland security." Homeland Security - plain and simple - is about protecting America. In Congress, we now have a Committee on Homeland Security, which I have been named the top Democrat on. That Committee is going to work to make sure that everyone who is working to protect America here at home has the resources, attitude, and ability to get the job done.

My Committee will look at whether our ports and borders are secure. We will make sure that chemical and nuclear plants, as well as our water supply, is protected. We will look at protecting our food supply and our trains and airplanes. We will even look at how to protect our computer networks from attacks.

One thing of vital importance to me that we will do - make sure that first responders - EMT, firemen, and police - have what they need to respond to a 9-11 attack.

http://benniethompson.house.gov/NR/rdonlyres/27DE6928-8E28-4883-9040-C5B263E3C2A5/0/February2005.pdf