2:35pm | Congressmember Laura Richardson (D – Long Beach) was appointed yesterday to the position as Chair of Emergency Communications, Preparedness and Response, a subcommittee of the Homeland Security Committee.
“The Homeland Security Committee was instituted after September 11, 2001 to provide security oversight and focus for our homeland, the United States of America. After the fiasco in New Orleans and the recent penetration of flight 253 this last Christmas, I stand ready in this vital capacity,” Richardson stated in a press release yesterday.
“As we face one of our most difficult tasks, ensuring there is confidence and protection in our homeland, I hope to bring the lessons of my district — ports, airports, water treatment and refineries — as examples of America’s vulnerabilities and needs. I am thankful for the confidence that Chairman Thompson has shown in me as a member of the committee and for making it possible for me to serve in this new capacity. I look forward to sharing my expertise to bring value and support the goals of the Chairman and the Homeland Security community.”
Richardson leads the subcommittee’s twelve other members in the effort to monitor FEMA, prepare for responding to terrorism, coordinating communication between several levels of government terrorism-related response and preparedness and other duties.