LARSON VOTES TO IMPLEMENT 9/11 COMMISSION RECOMMENDATIONS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:January 9, 2007LARSON VOTES TO IMPLEMENT 9/11 COMMISSION RECOMMENDATIONS
WASHINGTON ? U.S. Congressman John B. Larson (CT-1) today voted in favor of H.R. 1, the Implementing the 9/11 Commission Recommendations Act. Larson is also an original cosponsor of the legislation.
Larson stated: ?Since the 9/11 Commission released its recommendations in July 2004, Democrats have called for their full implementation. However, many have only been partially carried out and some have been completely ignored. House Democrats promised the American people that they would enact all of the 9/11 Commission recommendations and today?s vote signifies that commitment. This bill will make America safer by improving homeland security, preventing terrorists from accessing weapons of mass destruction, and developing strategies to stop the spread of terrorism in Islamic nations.
?During public forums on nuclear nonproliferation I?ve hosted in the past year at St. Joseph College and Trinity College, many of my constituents expressed their concerns about nuclear materials falling into the hands of terrorists. That threat to our nation is real and this bill fulfills the 9/11 Commission recommendation to prevent terrorists from acquiring weapons of mass destruction and strengthen our nonproliferation programs.
?More than sixty Connecticut residents lost their lives on that tragic day in 2001. Over five years later, we owe it to them and their families to finally implement these measures and ensure that such a day will never happen again.?
H.R. 1, which passed the House by a vote of 299 to 128, contains the following provisions:
HOMELAND SECURITY
Increase share of state homeland security grants provided on the basis of risk
Create stand-alone grant program for communications for first responders
100% inspection of air cargo over the next 3 years
Quickly accelerate installation of explosive detection systems for checked baggage
100% scanning of U.S.-bound shipping containers over the next 5 years
WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION
Improve U.S. non-proliferation program
Create a U.S. Coordinator for the Prevention of WMD Proliferation and Terrorism and a blue-ribbon commission to recommend further reforms
Strengthen efforts to eliminate nuclear black-market networks
ENDING TERRORISM
Establish an International Arab and Muslim Youth Opportunity Fund, to provide assistance for educational programs for Arab and Muslim youth around the world
Provide for the establishment of a Middle East Foundation, to promote economic opportunities, education reform, human rights, and democratic processes in the countries of the Middle East
###