7 4.H 75:107-2 FED-DOCS H.R. 5005, THE HOMELAND SECURITY ACT OF HEARING BEFORE THE SELECT COMMITTEE ON HOMELAND SECURITY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ONE HUNDRED SEVENTH CONGRESS SECOND SESSION JULY 15 AND 16, 2002 Serial No. 107-2 Printed for the use of the Select Committee on Homeland Security For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office CONTENTS Page H.R. 5005, THE HOMELAND SECURITY ACT OF 2002, DAY 1 MONDAY, JULY 15, 2002 U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SELECT COMMITTEE ON HOMELAND SECURITY, Washington, DC. The committee met, pursuant to call, at 2:05 p.m., in Room 345, Cannon House Office Building, Hon. Richard K. Armey [chairman of the committee] presiding. Present: Representatives Armey, Watts, Pryce, Portman, Frost, Menendez, and DeLauro. Chairman ARMEY. The Select Committee is meeting today to hear testimony on H.R. 5005, the Homeland Security Act of 2002. As announced at the last meeting, the Chair will recognize one member from both the majority and the minority for an opening statement so that we can hear from our witness and proceed to questions. Without objection, all members' opening statements will be made a part of the hearing record. The Chair now recognizes the gentleman from Oklahoma, Mr. Watts, for a brief opening statement. Mr. WATTS. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for the opportunity to address my colleagues on the committee and the distinguished guests before us here today. I commend you on your leadership of this Select Committee and thank you for your organization efforts to get us to this point. During my first year in the House of Representatives, the Oklahoma City bombing created a wake-up call on the need for a plan of action against domestic terrorism. During my last term here in Congress, the attacks on September 11, 2001, have forever changed the world and again demonstrated why the government must change the way we view threats to our homeland. We are about to hear from Governor Ridge, whom I met with in May of this year to discuss ways we can work together, executive branch and legislative branch, and better organize our infrastructure. I look forward to hearing Governor Ridge's perspective and have confidence at his leadership, in conjunction with the Cabinet secretaries and other members of the administration appearing before this panel, will take into consideration the ideas, concerns and goals voiced by members of the House working on this very important issue. I was pleased when President Bush called last month for the creation of a Department of Homeland Security, and I am thankful Speaker Hastert had the good judgment to create this committee. As my colleagues know, I have been involved in this issue since the (1) |