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Madam Speaker, I join my colleagues today in support of H.R. 884, the “Promoting Antiterrorism Cooperation through Technology and Science Act.”
While touring the northeast United States in 1955, President Eisenhower spoke of the importance of international diplomacy and cooperation to solve the rising problems posed by communism in the Far East. It was Eisenhower who said “Only strength can cooperate. Weakness can only beg.” Just as Eisenhower envisioned the role of international cooperation to address the communist threat in the 20th century, so too must we solicit international cooperation to solve the terrorism threat in the 21st century.
The United States must embrace the concept of bilateral cooperation in order to win the war on terrorism, and I believe that this bill is an important step in that direction. H.R. 884 will establish a Science and Technology Homeland Security International Cooperative Programs Office to facilitate international cooperative activities throughout the Directorate of Science and Technology.
This legislation does not seek to duplicate other efforts underway. Rather, it will strengthen ongoing partnerships with homeland security allies such as Israel, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and Singapore, while encouraging new ones. The United States currently participates in similar bilateral programs such as the Binational Industrial Research and Development, or BIRD foundation, in which the United States and Israel cooperate on defense-related R&D. The office would conduct similar activities, but would be run by the Department of Homeland Security rather than a private foundation.
This office within the Department of Homeland Security will foster partnerships with foreign governments and businesses by requiring that the foreign partner equitably match U.S. funding expended through direct funding or funding of complementary activities, or through provision of staff, facilities, material, or equipment.
This country has a proud history of recognizing the value of and promoting international cooperation, particularly in the field of technology. I am pleased to be an original co-sponsor of this bipartisan legislation, and encourage my colleagues to support HR 884.
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