Washington, D.C. — The U.S. House of Representatives approved two provisions on Wednesday introduced by U.S. Rep. Etheridge (D-Lillington), the only N.C. member of the Homeland Security Committee, to protect N.C. agriculture and children.
At Etheridge’s request, the provisions were included in the Department of Homeland Security Authorization Act of 2007.
The Etheridge school security provision directs the department to ensure that all departmental policies, programs and activities appropriately consider the needs of and impact on children. It also requires the department to report annually to Congress on activities undertaken pursuant to this provision and the resulting improvement in security for children, schools and other child-centered facilities.
Etheridge’s provision responds to a survey he conducted of N.C. principals and superintendents in 2005 that suggested that schools do not receive adequate guidance from the department in emergency preparedness and planning.
“Congress must address the needs of America’s most vulnerable citizens, its children,” said Etheridge. “As the former Superintendent of North Carolina’s public schools, I know how planning and preparedness improve security in schools and other places that focus on children. ”
The bill also includes a provision by Etheridge to protect the nation’s food supply from terrorist attacks. The second Etheridge provision requires the department to report to Congress within 120 days on the status of recommendations provided in two Government Accountability Office reports that demonstrated threats to America’s food supply. Agriculture is North Carolina’s leading economy, employing almost 20 percent of the workforce.
“An attack to farming or U.S. food supply lines would be devastating to the country. DHS must prioritize the protection of our critical food and agriculture infrastructure to ensure the health and security of all Americans.”