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78S20104 CLE-D

By:  Ogden                                                      S.C.R. No. 1  



CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
	WHEREAS, In the Homeland Security Act of 2002, the United 
States Congress recognized the importance of a university-based, 
integrated approach to homeland security when it required the 
secretary of the United States Department of Homeland Security to 
establish university-based centers for homeland security; and
	WHEREAS, Texas colleges and universities are at the forefront 
of research on issues pertaining to homeland security, including 
emergency response, food safety, transportation, border security, 
information protection, and counterterrorism and have joined 
together to maximize their abilities to meet state and national 
homeland security needs; and
	WHEREAS, The selection criteria established by congress for  
university-based centers for homeland security include expertise 
in training of first responders; response to incidents involving 
weapons of mass destruction and biological warfare; emergency and 
diagnostic medical services; chemical, biological, radiological, 
and nuclear countermeasures and detection; animal and plant health 
and diagnostics; food safety; water and wastewater operations; port 
and waterway security; multi-modal transportation; information 
security and information engineering; engineering; educational 
outreach and technical assistance; border transportation and 
security; and public policy; these criteria are epitomized by the 
collective strengths of Texas colleges and universities; and
	WHEREAS, Texas institutions of higher education have been 
leaders on issues related to homeland security long before 
September 11, 2001, due to Texas' unique possession of large 
agricultural, petrochemical, maritime, and telecommunications 
industries and major land and sea ports on the border with Mexico 
and on the Gulf of Mexico, all of which are vulnerable to terrorist 
attack; and
	WHEREAS, The Homeland Security Act of 2002 required a 
university-based center or centers for homeland security to be 
established within one year of the date of enactment; now, 
therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the 78th Legislature of the State of Texas, 
2nd Called Session, hereby respectfully urge United States 
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge to recognize 
the expertise and resources represented by Texas colleges and 
universities by designating a university-based center for homeland 
security in the State of Texas; and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That the Texas secretary of state forward official 
copies of this resolution to the president of the United States, to 
the secretary of the United States Department of Homeland Security, 
and to all members of the Texas congressional delegation.