Security and Accountability for Every Port Act--Continued

SECURITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY FOR EVERY PORT ACT--Continued -- (Senate - September 12, 2006)

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AMENDMENT NO. 4935

Mr. CHAMBLISS. Mr. President, I rise today to urge my colleagues to support the amendment proposed by the Senator from Colorado, Mr. Salazar. My colleague from Georgia, Senator Isakson, and I are cosponsors and strong supporters of this measure which I believe fulfills a great need in rural America.

The amendment creates a policing institute that would be administered by the Office of the Federal Enforcement Training Center in Glynco, GA. The creation of this office provides training for those who may not currently have access to it because it sends folks who are going to train our local law enforcement personnel directly into our rural areas. Our local communities have fewer resources and fewer folks on the payroll, so they really can't afford to do without men and women who may be called away for an extended period of time to undergo training.

There is no question--and I hear this whenever I travel around the State--that our local law enforcement in rural areas are called upon day in and day out in providing the nuts and bolts of criminal investigations and law enforcement. In many areas, increased crime and the scourge of methamphetamine drug trafficking have placed severe pressures on rural law enforcement capabilities. If we're going to call upon folks to do more, then we have to provide them with the resources they need to carry out their duties--and as a strong supporter of the criminal justice system this includes giving them access to the vital training they need.

In addition, these dedicated and hard-working professionals are also asked to prepare for different types of threats in our changing security environment. This amendment will greatly assist in their efforts.

I urge my colleagues to support this common sense, bipartisan amendment.

I yield the floor.

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