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House Approves $325,000 for Shelby County Seismic Study in Homeland Security Bill

October 15, 2009
This afternoon, the House of Representatives passed the Fiscal Year 2010 Homeland Security Appropriation Bill, which included the Congressman’s seismic study fund request and his proposal to increase national funding for Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI) Nonprofit Security Grants – federal funding that provides local communities with support to increase security at nonprofit organizations, such as hospitals and national landmarks, that are considered to be at high risk for terrorist attacks.

“It’s estimated that if a 7.0 magnitude earthquake were to occur, it could result in tens of billions of dollars worth of damage. This seismic mitigation study is important to giving our first-responders and local officials a better understanding what the consequences would be to our city, county and nation if a major earthquake occurred in Memphis,” Congressman Cohen said. “Forty percent of the Northeast’s natural gas is carried through pipelines that run through Memphis. We’re the fourth largest inland port, third in Class 1 railroad service, the third most active trucking corridor, and for the 14th straight year, Memphis International Airport handled more freight than any other airport in the world. The economic aftershocks of an earthquake would be felt well beyond the Ninth District, with potentially huge repercussions for our national economy.”

In addition to the seismic study, Congressman Cohen also succeeded in increasing funding for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s UASI Nonprofit Grant Program aimed at protecting hospitals, national landmarks and other important non-profits. The Homeland Security Appropriations bill includes a $4 million increase for the program -- $3 million of which was the result of an amendment offered by the Congressman during the House consideration of the Homeland Security Appropriations bill.

“Memphis is home to a number of vital facilities, including The MED, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, and other hospitals and research facilities. The National Holocaust Museum shooting reminds us that terror could be spread by attacking a museum or a library,” Congressman Cohen said. “The Urban Area Security Initiative Nonprofit Security Grant program is an important program that funds not-for-profits that are critical to our communities' ongoing security and safety. That’s why I sought to increase funding for this program.”

The Fiscal Year 2010 Homeland Security Appropriations Bill also provides greater federal funding to train and equip local first responders and emergency personnel. It includes over $3 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,” Congressman Cohen said. “They must have the best training and equipment to keep our communities safe. 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, with 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. Funds will be provided 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