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By: Corte (Senate Sponsor - Ogden) H.C.R. No. 11
(In the Senate - Received from the House September 17, 2003;
September 17, 2003, read first time and referred to Committee on
Infrastructure Development and Security; September 22, 2003,
reported favorably by the following vote: Yeas 7, Nays 0;
September 22, 2003, sent to printer.)
HOUSE 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,
3rd 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.
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