DENNIS A. CARDOZA: “I rise today to address the lack of Federal resources being allocated to local law enforcement officials, our front line…”

“I rise today to address the lack of Federal resources being allocated to local law enforcement officials, our front line in our war on terrorism. Several weeks ago, I sent out an e-mail asking first responders from my district to attend a brown bag lunch to discuss the challenges they face. With less than 24 hours' notice, nearly 60 law enforcement officials and fire professionals changed their schedules and attended this meeting. While in nearly every case they support the administration's efforts on terrorism, as do I, to an individual they were disappointed in the lack of resources provided by their Federal Government. These men and women are made of the same mettle as the first responders who were on the scene September 11 in New York City and in Washington, D.C., but they need the tools to do their jobs. They have communication systems that are woefully inadequate for the jobs they need to do. Fire and police are unable to communicate on the same radios. Regrettably, the supplemental the administration just sent over does not address these needs.”