Robert L. Turner

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize those who lost their homes, livelihoods and, most tragically, their lives during the most devastating storm ever to hit the Northeast. For the heroic efforts of New York's police, fire department and sanitation workers, who were on the scene immediately, forsaking their own personal interests and safety, and for all of those affected by the hurricane, I ask that the House stand and engage in a moment of silence.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from South Carolina for introducing this resolution.

I rise today in strong support of H.R. 3783, the Countering Iran in the Western Hemisphere Act.

Last week's events in the Middle East and Africa are a stark reminder of how fragile peace can be. Iran's leaders have not been afraid to let the world know they will attack the United States and our allies, even going so far as to claim that they will wipe Israel off the face of the Earth.

Iran is emerging as a threat much closer to our shores in South America. Earlier this year, Iran's President, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, embarked on a trip that Chairman Ros-Lehtinen accurately characterized as a ``tour of tyrants.'' He traveled throughout South America, where he met with Venezuela's President Chavez and attended the presidential inauguration of Daniel Ortega in Nicaragua before going on to Cuba and Ecuador.

Iran continues to deepen its relations with Latin America through its ties to the international Islamic Shia group,

Hezbollah, a State Department-designated foreign terrorist organization. According to the Congressional Research Center, Hezbollah, along with Iran, has been linked to two bombings against Jewish targets in Argentina--the 1972 bombing of the Israeli Embassy in Buenos Aires that killed 30 people and the 1994 bombing of the Argentine-Israeli Mutual Association in Buenos Aires that killed 85 people.

While increasing tensions between the United States, Israel, and Iran, we cannot simply afford to ignore the threats that are looming in South America. The Countering Iran in the Western Hemisphere Act of 2012 will ensure that threat assessments are conducted, that a cooperative strategy is put in place between the United States and her allies in the region, and our borders with Canada and Mexico are more secure. These efforts will allow our country to better protect our citizens and our interests both on our own soil and abroad.

As we have seen, the threat is real and American lives are at stake. We cannot afford to ignore the potential threats to our national security that may stem from this area of the world.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3857) to amend the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007 to require the Secretary of Homeland Security to include as an eligible use the sustainment of specialized operational teams used by local law enforcement

under the Transit Security Grant Program, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include any extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to urge the passage of H.R. 3857, the Public Transportation Security and Local Law Enforcement Support Act, which helps local law enforcement meet national security demands in a troubled economy.

Today, we solemnly remember the tragedy which took place 11 years ago at the Pentagon, in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, and New York City.

I am personally reminded when I travel from my home in New York to D.C., I look toward the southern tip of Manhattan where the Twin Towers once stood.

As we also remember the brave New York firefighters and police officers who ran into the inferno of the World Trade Center with no regard for their own safety, we should think about the brave spirit that lives on in every first responder. They are truly our last line of defense in an increasingly dangerous world, and we should make sure they are provided with access to all of the resources they need to keep us safe.

In large metropolitan areas, public transit systems are among the most vulnerable targets. In New York City, the MTA carries over 8 million people daily on its subways and buses throughout the five boroughs. The Transit Security Grant program provides funds to public transit agencies in high-risk areas for various security projects including the hiring of full-time personnel for specialized anti- terrorist teams, K-9 units, mobile screening, and public awareness campaigns.

The program is authorized by the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007 and administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency in consultation with the Transportation Security Administration.

Grant funds are used to create new specialized anti-terror teams, but until recently could not be used to sustain these teams unless the Department of Homeland Security provided a waiver. This forced law enforcement to face the uncertainty of the waiver process or risk losing vital security assets. Fortunately, the Secretary provided some relief last year so that a waiver was not required, but without this bill, there is nothing to stop the Department of Homeland Security from reinstating another bureaucratic waiver or process.

H.R. 3857 streamlines the grant program to make it easier for the specialized security teams to receive funding. It authorizes the Department of Homeland Security to provide transit security grant programs to sustain teams and also eliminate the bureaucratic steps of requiring eligible transit agencies to apply for a waiver. This will help avoid countless hours of request, preparation, and review.

I urge my colleagues to support this bill because there is nothing more important than protecting our citizens.

We must make it a priority to ensure that the brave men and women who work so hard to keep us safe have the resources they need as soon as they need it.

I reserve the balance of my time.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I have no more speakers. If the gentleman from Mississippi has no further speakers, I am prepared to close once the gentleman does.

Mr. Speaker, I urge Members to support the bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.