U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis will chair the Emergency Communications, Preparedness and Response Subcommittee of the Homeland Security Committee -- giving the Florida Republican leadership the job of overseeing FEMA and emergency responses.
The Department of Homeland Security must continue to improve its communication and emergency preparedness, and since valuable taxpayer dollars are at stake, I will make certain it does so as efficiently and effectively as possible, said Bilirakis. As chairman, I will continue to ensure the safety of our nation and enhance the way in which we respond and prepare for disasters.
First elected to Congress in 2006, Bilirakis represents parts of Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties. In his first two terms, he served on the Homeland Security Committee including serving as the ranking Republican on the subcommittee on Management, Investigations, and Oversight. He also serves on the Foreign Affairs Committee and the Veterans Affairs Committee.
I am very pleased to make this appointment, said U.S. Rep. Peter King, R-N.Y., chairman of the Homeland Security Committee. As a member of the Homeland Security Committee since 2007, Gus has demonstrated his steadfast commitment to protecting our homeland from the terrorists who continue to plot and execute attacks against our nation. Gus, a Floridian, is greatly qualified to lead this subcommittee; he and his constituents deal with potential disasters each hurricane season and spent much of this year preparing to respond to the possible arrival of oil from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Since 2009, he has served as the top Republican on the subcommittee on Management, Investigations, and Oversight, a role in which he oversaw the entire Department of Homeland Security, including the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
From his new perch, Bilirakis will also have a large role in preparedness funds -- a familiar topic for the Florida Republican and bad news for the controversial group Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN). Bilirakis has asked more than a few pointed questions about ACORN receiving federal funds through FEMA.
Earlier in the month, Bilirakis launched his latest salvo at ACORN when he announced that he had sent a letter last week to W. Craig Fugate of FEMA demanding to know why the group was sending money to ACORN through a grant program.
Bilirakis pointed to a report from the Department of Homeland Security office of inspector general that showed ACORN was awarded more than $450,000 through a fire prevention and safety grant by FEMA back in FY 2007. Bilirakis maintained that ACORN had no such expertise.
ACORN has demonstrated it is not worthy of the publics trust and as I have repeatedly stated, the Department of Homeland Security should not have provided funding to this corrupt enterprise, said Bilirakis. Scarce Homeland Security resources should only be provided to reputable organizations that will strengthen our nations preparedness, not wasted on those that wont.
With 10 percent of their funds cut off that traditionally come through federal monies, ACORN filed for bankruptcy and disbanded earlier in the year after a number of controversies.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or at (850) 727-0859.
