Dan Donovan: “I thank my friend and colleague from Colorado for yielding to me on such an important issue not only to my district, not…”

“I thank my friend and colleague from Colorado for yielding to me on such an important issue not only to my district, not only to my city, not only to my State, but to our Nation. Mr. Speaker, I rise this evening to discuss a vital program within the Department of Homeland Security, the Securing the Cities program. The Domestic Nuclear Detection Office's Securing the Cities program enhances the ability of States and localities to detect and prevent terrorist attacks and other high-consequence events using nuclear and radiological materials in high-risk urban areas through the provisions of training, equipment, and other resources. Securing the Cities began as a pilot program in 2006 in the New York City region, including surrounding jurisdictions of New Jersey and Connecticut. Since that time, it has expanded to Los Angeles; Chicago; Washington, D.C.; and Houston. Once the program is fully implemented, it is estimated that it will protect nearly 100 million people nationwide, Americans. Hailing from New York City and representing Staten Island and Brooklyn, I have seen firsthand the positive impact of the Securing the Cities program. Since 2007, our region has purchased more than 13,000 radiation detectors and trained nearly 20,000 personnel.…”