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June 10, 2008
KANSAS SENATOR ENDORSES OVERHAUL OF V.I. 911 COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM; CALLS ON HOMELAND SECURITY SECRETARY TO OFFER FULL SUPPORT TO DEJONGH ADMINISTRATION In the aftermath of meetings with Congressional leaders in Washington, D.C. last week, U.S. Senator Sam Brownback has endorsed the DeJongh Administration’s plan to completely revamp the territory’s 911 communications system and has called on U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff to "carefully examine the project and give it his full support." "I am pleased that less than one week after our meetings in Washington, D.C. in which we sought congressional support for funding of the new 911 system, a long time friend of the Virgin Islands, Senator Brownback has responded favorably," deJongh said Tuesday. The trip to Washington last week went well, deJongh said, indicating that he met with the key Chairmen and Ranking Minority members of the appropriations subcommittees relevant to this project. In a June 10 letter to Secretary Chertoff, Senator Brownback noted the importance the Virgin Islands plays in the security of the U.S. mainland. "The (HOVENSA) refinery is one of the largest in the world and is a primary supplier of oil to the Department of Defense, among others. Residents, tourists and first responders are at significant risk because of the territory’s substantial deficiency in comprehensive radio coverage, modern software and adequate tower functionality," Brownback wrote. The Kansas Senator pointed out that the V.I. emergency communication system lacks interoperability among first responders and among local and federal authorities. Brownback said the proposed 911 communications system would provide state of the art emergency communications benefitting residents, visitors and the nation’s homeland security. DOWNLOAD: Letter from Senator Sam Brownback |
