Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney was appointed chair of the House Democratic Task Force on Homeland Security. Her first tasks in her new position will be to have stronger emergency alert systems using the latest technology available and to lobby New York State to give health care assistance to 9/11 volunteers who have developed respiratory and other illnesses.
"No function of our government is more critical than preserving and ensuring the safety of the American people," Maloney said. "New York City is a prime example where the threat level is very high, but local law enforcement is getting nowhere near the federal funds nor the direction needed to maintain adequate security protections. We plan to continue to make sure the federal government is doing everything possible, in a comprehensive and efficient way, to provide the protection we need."
As chair of Homeland Security, Maloney introduced "The Emergency Warning Act of 2003," requiring the establishment of a comprehensive national system for providing effective public warnings, using the full range of technology available. Some of these improvements include special alert rings for traditional telephones, and an increase in technology for wireless phones and the Internet with respect to security. Maloney believes that information can save lives in critical moments before, during and following an emergency or disaster, but that we are not taking full advantage of new communication technology.
Another major issue Maloney is working on is getting health care assistance to those who sacrificed their time and health volunteering help after 9/11. In a letter sent to Governor George Pataki and to Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge, Maloney joined six Congressmembers in expressing concern that the federal government provided the state with millions of dollars to pay for workers compensation in relation to 9/11, but that none of the money has been used to help the volunteers.
"These heroes came to aid New York and now its our turn to help them," Maloney said. "We are calling on the governor to get this fixed, because every day wasted is another day these hero volunteers continue to suffer without help."
