March 30, 2010

Bennie Thompson, Chairman, House Committee on Homeland Security, briefed on collaborative homeland security efforts at Port of Houston

Says Houston’s port security instrumental to nation’s security

U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-MS)

U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Mississippi), Chairman of the U.S. House Committee on Homeland Security, was briefed Monday on collaborative homeland security efforts by public and private industry partners along the Houston Ship Channel. Thompson also toured the Port of Houston Authority’s Emergency Mobile Command Center.

The U.S. House Committee on Homeland Security provides congressional oversight for the development of the Department of Homeland Security. The committee’s legislative jurisdiction includes Transportation Security, Border and Port Security, Critical Infrastructure Protection and Emergency Preparedness.

One of the largest ports in the world, the Port of Houston is made up of the Port of Houston Authority and more than 150 private industrial companies along the Houston Ship Channel, which is home to the second-largest petrochemical complex in the world. A unique example of collaboration among industries at the Port of Houston is the Houston Ship Channel Security District. To improve security within the ship channel area, PHA, industry leaders and local area government came together to create this first-of-its-kind public-private partnership, which uses a coordinated, system-wide approach, distributing costs to all stakeholders that benefit from the enhancements.

	U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX); U.S. Rep. Al Green (D-TX); PHA Commissioner Elyse Lanier; PHA Chairman James T. Edmonds; U.S. Rep Bennie Thompson (D-MS); Harris County Commissioner Sylvia Garcia; U.S. Rep. Pete Olson (R-TX); Harris County Sheriff Adrian Garcia; and State Sen. Rodney Ellis (D-Houston).

Rep. Thompson remarked, “It is clear that Houston’s port security is instrumental to our overall national security. I am pleased to see that the Port of Houston has a diverse, unified and committed team that collaborates, communicates and effectively deploys advanced technologies. The public and private facilities that line this vast waterway are vital to the economy and energy security of the entire nation, and that is a message I will continually underscore before the U.S. House Committee on Homeland Security and the entire body of Congress as we deliberate on legislation related to policies, procedures and the allocation of resources.”

Among those meeting with Thompson at a roundtable session at the port authority were PHA Chairman James T. Edmonds; PHA Commissioners Kase Lawal and Elyse Lanier; U.S. Rep. Gene Green (D-TX); U.S. Rep. Al Green (D-TX); U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX); U.S. Rep. Pete Olson (R-TX); State Sen. Rodney Ellis (D-Houston); State Sen. Mario Gallegos (D-Houston); State Rep. Wayne Smith (R-Baytown); State Rep. Ana E. Hernandez (D-Houston); Harris County Precinct 2 Commissioner Sylvia Garcia; and U.S. Coast Guard Captain of the Port Marcus Woodring. Also attending were Jeffrey Baldwin, U.S. Customs and Border Protection; Richard C. Powers, Special Agent in Charge (SAC), FBI Houston Division; Acting Houston Police Chief Charles McClelland, Robin Riley, Chairman, Houston Ship Channel Security District; and Jim Griffin, Chairman, East Harris County Manufacturers Association.

U.S. Rep Bennie Thompson (D-MS); PHA Commissioner Kase Lawal; and U.S. Rep. Al Green (D-TX)

U.S. Rep. Al Green said, “Homeland security is also hometown security for us. It helps secure the community, which helps secure our nation.”

U.S. Rep. Pete Olson commented, “The Port of Houston is a model of leadership in confronting challenges and seizing opportunities to advance homeland security. I look forward to supporting this port community’s valuable efforts to develop mutually beneficial solutions for protection against natural and man-made threats. As industry competitors, federal regulators, state or local officials, and various law enforcement jurisdictions, it is imperative that we all keep working together.”

	Robin Riley, Chairman, Houston Ship Channel Security District; Richard C. Powers, Special Agent in Charge (SAC), FBI Houston Division; Jeffrey Baldwin, U.S. Customs and Border Protection; and U.S. Coast Guard Captain of the Port Marcus Woodring.

State Sen. Wayne Smith remarked, “The Port of Houston is one of the greatest economic assets in the entire state. I commend the public and private sector port security partners for their diligent efforts, and I look forward to working with my fellow lawmakers in Austin and in Washington to support future endeavors.”

PHA Chairman Edmonds stated, “When it comes to the common good of security for the businesses and communities along the Houston Ship Channel, we enjoy a great deal of effective collaboration and cooperation across the public and private sectors and among law enforcement at the local, state and federal levels. We all work together to develop and implement effective solutions. We look forward to working effectively with Chairman Thompson, the House Homeland Security Committee, the great bipartisan congressional delegation representing Houston and Harris County, and all members of Congress to advance and strengthen these solid relationships.”