Cohen Wins Increase in Homeland Security Funds to Protect Hospitals and Non-Profits

During debate on the Fiscal Year 2010 Homeland Security Appropriation Bill, the House included Congressman Cohen’s request to increase national funding for the Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI) Nonprofit Security Grant program by $3 million.

“Memphis is home to a number of important facilities, including the Med, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, and other great hospitals and research facilities. In recent weeks, we’ve all seen the terror that could be spread by attacking a museum or a library,” Congressman Cohen said. “The Urban Areas Security Initiative Nonprofit Security Grant program is an important program that helps fund support for the not-for-profits that are vital to our communities' ongoing security and safety. That’s why I fought to increase funding for this program.”

The Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI) Nonprofit Security Grant Program is aimed at providing local communities with funding support to increase security at nonprofit organizations – such as hospitals and national landmarks -- that are considered to be at high risk for terrorist attacks.

Grants are allocated through eligible State Administering Agencies according to criteria that include: (1) prior threats or attacks by a terrorist organization; (2) symbolic value of a site that renders it a possible terrorist target; (3) the organization’s role in responding to or recovering from terrorist attacks; and (4) the organization’s threat, vulnerability and/or consequence as determined by a previously conducted risk assessment. Memphis is considered a Tier II area under the UASI program.

The Fiscal Year 2010 Homeland Security Appropriations Bill also provides greater federal funding to secure our borders, ports and airports, and help train local first responders and emergency personnel. The legislation will provide our first responders with the equipment and training they need to keep our communities safe. It includes $3.55 billion in grants for local municipalities to protect critical infrastructure in high-threat areas, help local fire departments and upgrade central command facilities.

“Our local firefighters, police officers and emergency medical personnel are our first line of defense in an emergency. They must have the best training and equipment to keep our communities safe,” said Congressman Cohen. “The grants and programs in this bill give our first responders the tools and resources they need to protect us in case of an emergency.”

The bill also boosts our efforts to increase the security along our borders. There are additional investments to combat the violence, drug smuggling and weapons smuggling currently occurring on our Southwest Border. In addition, the bill invests in improving aviation security, port security and transit security. Among the many important programs, these funds will be used to purchase and install the latest explosive detection systems at airports nationwide and develop and deploy systems to screen cargo containers for weapons and nuclear materials.

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Steven Broderick
Communications Director
Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9)
1005 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Direct: 202-226-7916
Main: 202-225-3265
steven.broderick@mail.house.gov