Sam Gibbons: “I do support this amendment. Mr. Chairman, over the last several years, many of our government organizations, both State…”

“I do support this amendment. Mr. Chairman, over the last several years, many of our government organizations, both State and Federal, have handled information-sharing and analysis in vastly different ways, much like various people would do in trying to put a puzzle together. For many of these organizations, when they get information, it is like reaching into a bag or box full of mixed-up puzzle parts, grabbing a handful of it, and running into their office to try to put the puzzle together without ever sharing the information about what they have with anyone else in another room. Just trying to put it all together all alone. And this has led to information gaps and analytical failures. The so-called Phoenix memo is a perfect example of this type of information hoarding. I am pleased to support this bipartisan legislation which I believe helps our government organizations connect the dots much more effectively than it had before September 11. Over the past 10 months, it has become frighteningly clear that the terrorists targeting our Nation are far more advanced than previously thought.”