Bennie Thompson

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this measure and yield myself as much time as I may consume. Keeping our Federal and critical infrastructure network secure is an issue of national security. The United States and its allies face a significant and growing threat to our information technology systems. The acquisition of our government's information by outsiders undermines our strength as a Nation. Over time the theft of critical information from government computers could cost the United States our advantage over our adversaries. This legislation is the result of extensive oversight work undertaken by the chairman of the Subcommittee on Emerging Threats, Science and Technology, Mr. Langevin. An organization is only as strong as the integrity and reliability of the information that it keeps. H.R. 5983, a piece of the DHS authorization package, seeks to improve cybersecurity at DHS by ensuring that DHS's defenses of information systems are robust and by holding individuals at all levels accountable for mitigating vulnerabilities. H.R. 5983, which was approved by voice vote in the committee, Mr. Speaker, is composed of five important provisions: First, it establishes authorities and qualifications for the Chief Information Officer position at the Department. Through our oversight work, Mr. Speaker, we have observed how lack of an information security background can hamper the CIO's understanding and ultimately efforts to secure DHS' networks. Second, the bill establishes specific operational security practices for the CIO, including a continuous real-time cyber incident response capability, network security architecture, and vulnerability assessments. These are fundamental elements for a comprehensive information security program. Third, H.R. 5983 establishes testing protocols to reduce the number of vulnerability exploitations throughout the Department's networks. Time and again we have heard the current Federal information security requirements do not go far enough to actually ``operationalize'' security to reduce the number of successful attacks. Under H.R. 5983 security will be ``operationalized'' at DHS, a Federal agency that has a critical homeland security mission and is the receptacle of highly sensitive information. Fourth, Mr. Speaker, the bill requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to determine if the internal security policy of a contractor who provides network services to DHS is consistent with the agency's requirements. This is a standard operating procedure for all private sector companies. It should be also for DHS as well. Finally, Mr. Speaker, this bill seeks a formal report from the Secretary of Homeland Security on meeting the deadlines established by the Office of Management and Budget for Trusted Internet Connections, encryption and authentication mandates. These are critical for the Department's efforts to improve information security. It is unclear whether proper deadlines are being met. I encourage my colleagues to support the Homeland Security Network Defense and Accountability Act of 2008. House of Representatives, Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Washington, DC, July 24, 2008. Hon. Bennie G. Thompson, Chairman, Committee on Homeland Security, Ford House Office Building, Washington, DC. Dear Chairman Thompson: I am writing about H.R. 5983, the Homeland Security Network Defense and Accountability Act of 2008, which the Homeland Security Committee ordered reported to the House on June 26, 2008. I appreciate your effort to consult with the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform regarding H.R. 5983. In particular, I appreciate your willingness to strike the provision of the bill addressing the Freedom of Information Act and for agreeing to add rule of construction with regard to application of the Federal Information Management Security Act (FISMA) to the Department of Homeland Security. In the interest of expediting consideration of H.R. 5983, and in recognition of your efforts to address my concerns, the Oversight Committee will not request a sequential referral of this bill. I would, however, request your support for the appointment of conferees on the Oversight Committee should H.R. 5983 or a similar Senate bill be considered in conference with the Senate. Moreover, I believe it is important to identify additional provisions in H.R. 5983 that are of particular concern to me. Specifically, H.R. 5983 creates new responsibilities that might cause confusion with existing requirements under FISMA. Although these requirements do not necessarily contradict FISMA, I am concerned that when the Department seeks to implement these new requirements there may be uncertainty as to which law takes precedence. The unique set of requirements created in H.R. 5983 does not appear to align with current governmentwide requirements. In addition, I am concerned that H.R. 5983 puts too much responsibility with the Department's Inspector General. In my view, primary responsibility for performance reviews and testing should reside with the Department. Again, thank you for your efforts to address my concerns with H.R. 5983. Although I still have reservations about a few provisions, I look forward to working with you to resolve these matters and develop policies that benefit the federal government as a whole. This letter should not be construed as a waiver of the Oversight Committee's legislative jurisdiction over subjects addressed in H.R. 5983 that fall within the jurisdiction of the Oversight Committee. Please include our exchange of letters on this matter in the Homeland Security Committee Report on H.R. 5983 and in the Congressional Record during consideration of this legislation on the House floor. Sincerely, Henry A. Waxman, Chairman.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5983) to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to enhance the information security of the Department of Homeland Security, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and if the gentleman from Florida has no more speakers, then I am prepared to close after the gentleman closes.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 5983 is the product of extensive oversight by Chairman Langevin and the other members of the Emerging Threats, Science and Technology Subcommittee. After hearing from hundreds of experts on how best to improve information security, reviewing best practices in the public and private sectors, and investigating cyber incidents across the public and private sectors, Chairman Langevin authored the Homeland Security Network Defense and Accountability Act. H.R. 5983 will ensure that a qualified leader serves as the Chief Information Officer and has direction on what specific operational security practices should be implemented to make DHS's information security defenses robust. This legislation seeks to make DHS the gold standard when it comes to information security. After all, Mr. Speaker, how can DHS legitimately be the lead Federal agency for cybersecurity and infrastructure protection when it doesn't have its own house in order. I am pleased to include H.R. 5983 in the package of DHS authorization bills that the Committee on Homeland Security has approved on a bipartisan basis. I urge my colleagues to support me in passing this critical piece of legislation.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5531) to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to clarify criteria for certification relating to advanced spectroscopic portal monitors, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in support of legislation I authored to recognize a remarkable young woman, Ensign DeCarol Davis. On May 21, 2008, Ensign Davis graduated from the Coast Guard Academy with a grade point average of 3.96 in electrical engineering. She earned the distinction of being the first African American valedictorian of the Coast Guard Academy. The Coast Guard Academy was founded in 1876, but the first African American did not graduate from the institution until 1966. Women were not admitted to the school until 1976. Today, we honor Ensign Davis, who, through her hard work and perseverance, accomplished what no African American has done before her, she achieved the Academy's highest honor. This achievement is remarkable, given that over the past three decades the number of minorities graduating from the Coast Guard Academy has not kept pace with the other military service academies. Legislation approved by the House earlier this year, Mr. Speaker, would bring about more diversity within the Coast Guard Academy by allowing Members of Congress to nominate individuals for this academy, just as we do all other military service academies. I would also note that outside of the classroom Ensign Davis has distinguished herself as a community leader. On her own initiative, in the little spare time that she had, Ensign Davis wrote and directed a play for a local elementary school that introduced engineering as a possible career to the students. During her time at the academy, Ensign Davis also excelled in sports. In fact, she was selected to be the 2006 Arthur Ashe First Team Sports Scholar for basketball. She was also selected to be on the 2007 ESPN Academic Women's Basketball Team for All-District One Colleges. This is just a sample of this gifted young person's accomplishments. Ensign Davis clearly is destined for a successful career in the Coast Guard. Earlier this month, Mr. Speaker, I had the opportunity to meet Ensign Davis and spent some time getting to know her. During our meeting, she spoke passionately about her internship with D.C. Voice, a group of education activists concerned about public education in our Nation's capital. As a Truman scholar, Ensign Davis could have worked anywhere, but she chose to focus her energies on the District of Columbia and work to make a difference in the lives of thousands of children who attend D.C. public schools. Today, Mr. Speaker, we honor Ensign DeCarol Davis for being a trailblazer whose academic accomplishments are matched by a commitment to protecting our Nation and contributing to our communities. Congratulations to Ensign Davis and the rest of the Class of 2008. This Nation is appreciative of your commitment to service. Your talents are needed to ensure that the Coast Guard can continue to be a ``can do'' agency that we have all come to rely upon to keep our ports and waterways safe and secure. I urge you to support this resolution and join me in recognizing a future leader of our country.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, it gives me immense pleasure to recognize the life and accomplishments of one of America's most prolific icons in college football history, Coach William ``W.C.'' Gordon. Coach Gordon's career in college football began at Tennessee State University, TSU, where he played wide receiver and earned All-Mid Western Conference honors. He was also a 4-year baseball letterman at first base and team captain for the TSU Tigers. After graduating from Tennessee State University in 1952, he went on to serve in the U.S. Army from 1953 to 1955. After serving in the military, Gordon returned to sports as athletic director and coach for Eva Gordon High School, in Magnolia, MS. He also served at Temple High School, in Vicksburg, MS, in 1966, where he coached his team to the High School Football Negro Big 8 Conference state championship with an 11-0 record in 1966. From 1967 to 1994, Coach Gordon led and mentored at Jackson State University in a multitude of coaching capacities. Though most known for football, Coach Gordon served as head baseball coach from 1971 to 1972, leading the Tigers to the Southwestern Athletic Conference, SWAC, baseball title in 1972. As interim and head football coach, Gordon became one of the most winning coaches in the history of college football with 28 consecutive league victories and a career record of 119-47-5. Gordon coached 65 JSU players into the National Football League. Gordon was inducted into the SWAC Hall of Fame in 1994. Gordon coached the Tigers to eight SWAC Championships and was awarded SWAC Coach of the Year honors six times. He has been inducted into Mississippi Conferences Hall of Fame & Museum in 1977 and most recently was enshrined in the National Football Foundation's College Football Hall of Fame in South Bend, IN on July 18-19. Again, it gives me great pleasure to recognize and honor one of America's finest legendary football icons and true patriots of the game, Coach W.C. Gordon. His legacy not only left a mark on Black college football but also on college football at-large.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 4010, legislation designating the United States Post Office located at 100 W. Percy Street in Indianola, Mississippi as the ``Minnie Cox United States Post Office''. Minnie M. Geddings Cox was one of two daughters born to William and Mary Geddings of Lexington, Mississippi. She graduated from Fisk University and first taught school at the common schools in Lexington. Soon after, she married and assisted her husband, Wayne, when he was principal of the Indianola Colored Public School. Minnie M. Geddings Cox, was appointed postmistress of Indianola, Mississippi in 1891, by President Benjamin Harrison, and was reappointed by President William McKinley; thereby, becoming the first Black postmistress of the United States. On January 25, 1900, President McKinley raised the rank of the Indianola Post Office from fourth class to third class and appointed Mrs. Cox for a full 4-year term. However, in the fall of 1902, under the presidency of Theodore Roosevelt, a controversy brought national attention to Mrs. Cox. James K. Vardaman, running for governor, in 1902 used Minnie Cox as proof that African Americans had too much power, and that President Theodore Roosevelt was a Negrophile. Vardaman, who was indeed elected governor, called Theodore Roosevelt that ``coon-flavored miscegenationist in the White House.'' Jim Crow Laws overran Reconstruction in America and whites wanted blacks eliminated from leadership positions. Mrs. Cox was threatened with violence by local whites, who held several mass or mob meetings to demand her removal (her term expired in 1904). The mayor and sheriff declined to protect her, and as a result of the increased tension and threats of physical harm, she resigned as postmaster, effective January 1, 1903, and left town for a time. President Roosevelt believed Mrs. Cox had been wronged, and that the authority of the federal government was being compromised and refused to accept her resignation. Instead, he closed Indianola's post office on January 2, 1903, rerouted the mail to Greenville, MS, thirty miles away and Minnie Cox continued to receive her salary. For four hours in January 1903, the Indianola postal event was debated on the floor of the United States Senate, and appeared on the front pages of newspapers across the country. One year later, at the expiration of Mrs. Cox's term, in February 1904, the post office was reopened, but demoted in rank from third class to fourth class. Minnie Cox and her husband Wayne W. Cox, who had been an employee in the railway mail service, returned to Indianola and organized the ``Delta Penny Savings Bank.'' They had been substantial property owners before 1903, and they bought more land and became successful bankers as well. Much of the success of African-Americans is attributed to Wayne and Minnie Cox. Both descendants of parents who were former slaves, through their ability to penetrate barriers, promote progress, and instill pride as educators, bankers, entrepreneurs, real estate investors, and political activists, exemplify remarkable courage, wisdom and tenacity. United in matrimony October 31, 1889, Wayne and Minnie Cox had one daughter, Ethel Grant Cox. The Coxes acquired thousands of acres of land and ranked among the wealthiest of the race in Mississippi. Their spacious home sat on some five acres of land in the white section of town. As premier supporters of the business enterprises of blacks in the state, they sold homes to hundreds of African Americans on terms that would not have been possible if they were dealing with people who had no interest in them. Today, a street in Indianola named in their honor, Cox Street, bears their name. Also, the city's most popular park, Cox Park, located within minutes of the business district at Faisonia Avenue and West Gresham Street in Indianola, is named in their honor. Minnie Cox died in 1933. Mr. Speaker, I stand here today to in strong support of this resolution and urge Congress to pass this legislation renaming the Post Office in Indianola, MS, after the first African-American postmistress, Mrs. Minnie Cox.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, I would like to introduce legislation to help minimize the hardship of home and business owners who are most at-risk prepare for the next, inevitable natural disaster. As people from the gulf coast and those States bordering the Atlantic Ocean are only too well aware, this year's hurricane season officially began in recent days. Once again this year, weather experts are predicting several severe storms. While the reasons for the increased number of storms remains a subject of much argument and debate, their disastrous results lie beyond dispute. A better way exists, however, and that way is prevention. ``Prevention,'' when it comes to storm damage, takes many forms. At- risk home and business owners can take preventive measures by ``hardening'' their homes and other structures against preventable storm damage. They can strengthen their roofs, install storm shutters, elevate their electrical systems and even construct ``safe rooms'' within their homes. The ``Property Mitigation Assistance Act of 2008,'' would establish a homeowner mitigation loan program within the Federal Emergency Management Agency to promote pre-disaster property mitigation measures. The bill would provide for grants of at least $500,000 to States based on the State's risk of natural disaster, and would authorize $200 million for each of fiscal years 2009 through 2014 for the homeowner mitigation loan program. Although, the challenge to rebuild in the aftermath of a natural disaster remains, there must be legislation in place to assist homeowners and businesses that are located in areas that are at risk and subject to repeated hazards or natural disasters. I urge my colleagues to carefully consider The Property Mitigation Assistance Act of 2008 and enact this legislation into law.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, last Friday, 121 truckloads of needed Household supplies arrived in the Gulf Coast for people displaced by Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Though these supplies are surely still welcome, they arrived 3 years late. Tragically, at the same time that 90,000 ``living kits'' were distributed by FEMA in Louisiana, other Americans, this time in the Midwest, have experienced a trauma of their own, as flood waters rose and levee after levee was breached. Resources-whether human, financial, or equipment-must be made available immediately to the American people in need, whether that need is a result of storms, floods, terrorist attacks, and other emergencies. A recent Mason Dixon poll indicates that some residents of hurricane- vulnerable states say they will not evacuate and prefer to weather storms at home. Furthermore, the results of the poll indicate that many residents lack disaster plans and are still misinformed about how to protect themselves and their families during a storm. These results are particularly troubling when we consider how many citizens of the Gulf Coast did not have plans and were forced to accept relocation to toxic trailers. The Homeland Security Relief Corps Act of 2008 will ensure that the areas ravaged by Katrina will not go unattended by providing trained workers to engage in actual rebuilding efforts. This bill will assist us in addressing some of the harms caused by Katrina. As introduced, the Homeland Security Relief Corps Act will establish a much needed Response and Recovery Corps within the Department of Homeland Security. The Corps members will receive core training in emergency response, post-incident recovery, and rebuilding efforts. Equipped with the knowledge and preparation needed to make the disaster recovery process more efficient, the Corps members will be of tremendous assistance to the ravaged areas. With the floods in the Midwest and the other disasters this Nation has seen since Katrina, it is time for citizens to get more involved in disaster response and recovery. This bill provides a path to the rebuilding of the Gulf Coast and provides hope for quicker recovery for residents of other ravaged areas.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1150) expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the Transportation Security Administration should, in accordance with the congressional mandate provided for in the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007, enhance security against terrorist attack and other security threats to our Nation's rail and mass transit lines, as amended.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I cannot emphasize how important these covert tests are to protecting the country's transportation security systems. A single tip- off of a covert test is too many. We have already had three we know of. We must do our part to stop the next one from happening. We must do whatever we can to ensure that these tests remain covert and candid so we can truly evaluate our transportation security workers. I look forward to working with my colleagues as we move forward on this important legislation that will make our transportation systems more secure. I ask my colleagues to support this important legislation.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I yield the gentlelady an additional minute.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the author and supporter of this legislation, the gentlelady from New York (Mrs. Lowey).

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this bill and yield myself as much time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 5909, the Catching Operational Vulnerabilities by Ensuring Random Testing Act of 2008, or the COVERT Act of 2008, was introduced by Congresswoman Lowey of New York. The COVERT Act of 2008 was introduced to eliminate the practice of giving advance notice to transportation security workers of covert tests before the tests happened. I want to thank Congresswoman Lowey and the other members of the Committee on Homeland Security for working together in a bipartisan manner to approve this measure unanimously. I also want to thank the Transportation Security Administration for recognizing the need for this legislation and working with us to ensure that the bill accomplishes its goal without impeding the way in which TSA conducts its covert testing. This legislation is vital to protecting the integrity of covert tests of transportation security systems. We know of at least three incidents where covert tests were compromised by individuals who inappropriately warned security officials. This bill will prohibit individuals from providing advance notice of these important covert tests to any persons, unless authorized to do so by the Assistant Secretary of TSA, the Inspector General of DHS, or the Comptroller General of GAO. Covert testing efforts by TSA, the DHS IG, and GAO have helped to increase the effectiveness of our transportation security systems by highlighting vulnerabilities and keeping the screening workforce on their toes. Any effort to compromise these important testing efforts, whether intentional or accidental, should not be tolerated by this Congress. If we choose to ignore the problems of the past, we will provide future opportunities to compromise a worthy program intended to educate the workforce and benefit the security of our transportation security systems throughout the country. I strongly encourage all my colleagues to support H.R. 5909, which complements the work the committee has done on H.R. 1684, the DHS authorization bill that is pending before the Senate. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I yield the gentlelady an additional 3 minutes to complete her statement.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I urge all my colleagues to support this commonsense approach to studying how biometrics can be used to improve airport security. I think it is important to make clear again, this bill does not create any new mandates on airports. This bill does not require airports to use biometric identifying systems. Instead, it only provides for a study of how biometrics could be used. I strongly believe that strategic deployment of biometrics in the airport is a sensible part of any layered security plan for the airport environment. Therefore, I urge my colleagues to support this important legislation and make our airports safer.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Lowey).

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the distinguished gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee).

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5982) to direct the Secretary of Homeland Security, for purposes of transportation security, to conduct a study on how airports can transition to uniform, standards-based, and interoperable biometric identifier systems for airport workers with unescorted access to secure or sterile areas of an airport, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, as you have heard, H.R. 4179 is a commonsense Homeland Security legislation that has broad support. Representative Clarke, as well as Chairwoman Jackson-Lee and Ranking Member Lungren, ought to be commended for working together to get this critical legislation to the floor. We all know that the terrorist watch list has its problems. In fact, most of us fly a few times a week and have heard firsthand stories about people missing flights because they were misidentified against the watch list. We need to fix the watch list. That effort is ongoing and needs to continue. But at the same time, we need to provide people with a meaningful remedy. The FAST Redress Act does just that. That is why I'm proud to cosponsor this legislation authored by my esteemed colleague, Ms. Clarke. I urge passage of this important legislation. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4179) to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to establish an appeal and redress process for individuals wrongly delayed or prohibited from boarding a flight, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, I rise to salute one of Mississippi's finest politicians and agriculturist, former State Senator and farmer, Mr. Grey Flowers Ferris. Grey was a lifelong advocate for public education and a marvelous steward of farmland. His steadfast devotion to his family, friends, and farming are remarkable and will never be forgotten. Madam Speaker, not long after graduating from college and pursuing a career in politics, Ferris returned to his passion of farming. As a child he grew up on a farm with four other siblings and it was then when he discovered his love for farming. Madam Speaker, as a local farmer and family man, Ferris developed a passion for creating a better future for the children of Mississippi. Ferris was elected to the first board of the Vicksburg-Warren School District and served working to unite the school systems. With the deep divisions in local education in the Warren County, Mississippi, region, Ferris decided to run for State Senate to better address the State's education challenges. During his two terms in MS State Senate, Ferris was elected to serve as chairman of the Senate Education Committee and worked to reform education in rural and underfunded areas in Mississippi. He served as a lead author of the Adequate Education Act, which regulated the way money was allocated and spent among public schools. Madam Speaker, Grey not only worked hard to advocate for education but he was lover of the environment and a first class citizen. He was well-respected by his peers not only for who he was but more so for what he did. Madam Speaker, Grey saw the need to and retained the desire to change the world. Grey stared racism in its ugly face and combated it. The people of Mississippi hold him with high regard and respect. Madam Speaker, Grey Ferris was a man who saw the ability to serve the public as a privilege--not just an obligation. He served the citizens of Mississippi well through his continuous efforts of seating on the board of the Vicksburg Art Association, the Mercy Regional Medical Center, the Soil and Water Conservation Commission, the Mississippi School Board Association and the William Winter Institute for Racial Reconciliation. Grey Ferris wore many hats--an advocate of education, a protester for equality, devoted family man, committed farmer, and fine and just politician who worked to ensure fairness among all citizens of Mississippi. Today, Madam Speaker, it gives me great pride to recognize and honor the many contributions and continuous service of Grey Flowers Ferris to the State of Mississippi.