Harry Reid: “I want to discuss the bill before us dealing with the creation of a department of Homeland Security. I applaud Senator…”

“I want to discuss the bill before us dealing with the creation of a department of Homeland Security. I applaud Senator Lieberman for developing this idea of a new department to protect our Nation against the horrible specter of terrorist attacks on our cities and citizens. The people of Nevada look to the Federal Government to make sure that our State and our Nation are secure. We all agree that our Federal Government can, and should, do much better at preventing attacks, defending against attacks, and mitigating the consequences of attacks. In Nevada, we have already begun to help. The Nevada Test Site has established itself as one of the premier centers for emergency responder training. Under the new Department, this facility will only flourish. The new Department will also help develop the burgeoning counterterrorism programs at Nevada's major research institutions, including the University of Nevada-Las Vegas and the University of Nevada-Reno. The people of Nevada have a proud history of providing the nation with the necessary skills, hard work and vision to protect our Nation. I know Nevada will do the same for the war on terrorism. A new department of Homeland Security will be a good start, but this new Department is by no means the finish line in the effort to defense our nation. More important, this new Department must not be a distraction from the job of protecting our Homeland.”