Statement by Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (TX-26)

Homeland Security Funding Hearing

June 1, 2004

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to make a brief statement Mr. Chairman.

I am pleased that the Economic Development Subcommittee is taking up this very important piece of legislation today.

As our country continues to address the homeland security vulnerabilities it is prudent to periodically review how we prioritize threats and allocate funding to address these threats.

Reorganizing thousands of federal employees and essential homeland security functions has not been easy and there are sure to be additional bumps along the way.

A troubling example of how inequitable our current system of funding local homeland security priorities came to my attention last week.

According to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, a local paper in my district, the City of Fort Worth, Texas has been receiving a much lower level of preparedness funding than Dallas, which is just 30 miles to the east of Fort Worth.

According to the article, the Department of Homeland Security allocated $12 million to Dallas in December 2004, but sent nothing to Tarrant County and Fort Worth.

Working through the North Texas Council of Governments, Dallas has since made a much appreciated gesture by giving Fort Worth up to $350,000 of its own funds.

Here is an instance when the City of Dallas recognizes that Fort Worth and Tarrant County are struggling to meet preparedness benchmarks, but the federal agency tasked with protecting our homeland has been lax in doing so.

Tarrant County and Fort Worth is home to Lockheed Martin, a military base, the Texas Motor Speedway and is considered a major metropolitan area.

I am hopeful that by reevaluating how the Department of Homeland Security allocates homeland security dollars, that we are able to rectify this inequitable situation.

I believe that this legislation is a good first step to assist communities like Fort Worth, Texas.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.