“The administration may think domestic defense is about changing the color code from yellow to orange. Let me tell you something: the colors that will make America safer are firefighter red, EMT white, and police officer blue.” — John Edwards
Senator Edwards has been concerned about port security and has studied the issues at Port Charles near his home for many years: “We’re screening 5 percent of the containers that come through; we don’t have the manpower and technology to do the job that needs to be done,” he warned nearly two years ago before embarking on his current presidential bid.
Over 70,000 shipping containers come into the United States through ports of entry each day and many do not have the ability to screen for nuclear and radiological materials and weapons. Edwards would require the following steps: 100% of all foreign ports should screen within five year, with no extensions; 100% of all U.S. ports should screen within three years; and “smart containers” should be made available to shippers that will detect and report entries into containers so anything dangerous can be quickly spotted.
Senator John Edwards recently delivered the keynote address as The Orange County Democratic Party celebrated the 13th Annual Harry Truman Awards Dinner in the Grand Ballroom of the Disneyland Hotel. Over 1,100 Democrats from all over the state attended the event.
Senator Edwards, Elizabeth Edwards, Attorney General Jerry Brown, Lieutenant Governor Bill Lockyer, Rep. Dennis Kucinich, Rep. Loretta Sanchez were among the elected officials who celebrated and honored the awardees. It was the biggest fundraiser the Democratic Party of Orange County has ever held and they hope to make it a new standard.
The event was organized by Executive Director Melahat Rafiei, who many remember from Congressional candidate Jim Brandt’s campaign; and by the Orange County Democratic Party Vice Chair and Dinner Committee Chair, Rima Nashashibi with OC Party Chair, Frank Barbaro and a group of talented and dedicated volunteers.
The Harry Truman Awards honor those who have demonstrated through their exemplary leadership, vision, and commitment to the Democratic Party’s mission of ensuring basic rights for all. The 2007 Awards Recipients were The Honorable Larry Agran, Irvine City Councilmember; Wayne J. Quint Jr., President, Association of Orange County Deputy Sheriffs; and Richard O’Neill, Former Chair of California Democratic Party.