Barry Loudermilk: “Let me give a heartfelt thanks to my colleagues across the aisle, especially to my colleague from Massachusetts (Mr.…”

“Let me give a heartfelt thanks to my colleagues across the aisle, especially to my colleague from Massachusetts (Mr. Keating), who mentioned that we have spent a good amount of time together in traveling to the Middle East and to Europe, looking at terrorism. There was a time in our Nation's history when our focus on terrorism was isolated to areas overseas, but no longer. Terrorism is in our neighborhoods and it is in our communities. As you heard here today, from Massachusetts to Georgia to Washington State, there are no geographical boundaries on terrorism even within the United States. While this bill will not end terrorism, it will give critical tools to those who know their communities best. The local law enforcement officer who is on the beat every day knows his community better than anyone. When something isn't just right, he is the first one to notice it. It is critical that we provide them with the training, the security clearances, and the tools that they need to become a force multiplier for our Federal agents who are operating on very limited resources today. In fact, they are stretched very thin. Again, I thank all of those who are in support of this legislation. Of all I have worked on, I believe that this is one of the most important--that being the securing of our Nation so our children will have a nation that is free, safe, and full of opportunity. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 4401. Mr.…”