Senator Hillary Clinton Calls on President to Commit Needed Resources for Detection of Biological Attacks

January 9, 2008 -- Washington, DC – Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton today called on President Bush to commit the needed focus and funds to the BioWatch program, an initiative committed to the development and deployment of desperately needed bioweapons sensors that could detect the early stages of a biological attack. According to news reports, New York City officials have faced resistance from the Bush Administration as they work to deploy this critical homeland security program, despite the fact that New York continues to be a high-threat target for terrorist attack.

“There is no doubt that time is of the essence in responding to a biological attack. New York City is leading the way with its efforts to deploy cutting edge technology to speed detection of a biological attack. Our law enforcement and first responders are our first line of defense and they are doing everything they can to improve our homeland security. It is past time for the Bush Administration to step up and hold up their end of the bargain,” said Senator Clinton.

The following is the text of Senator Clinton’s letter to President Bush:

The Honorable George W. Bush
The White House
Washington, D.C. 20500

Dear Mr. President:

As you noted in your State of the Union address in 2003, one of the gravest dangers facing our nation is the threat posed by biological weapons. It has come to my attention that the Administration has failed to adequately devote the necessary attention and resources to the BioWatch program, an initiative committed to the development and deployment of desperately needed bioweapons sensors that could detect the early stages of a biological attack. I implore you to immediately commit the necessary focus and funds to this program so that we can adequately detect and contain one of the more serious and potentially catastrophic threats confronting our nation.

Experts agree that in the event of a biological attack, time is the most important factor in mitigating the potentially disastrous effects. It is critical to rapidly detect and contain a biological attack. The faster the alarm is sounded, the more quickly authorities can calculate the extent of exposure, properly marshal our resources and treat with vaccines or antibiotics those exposed. Quickly pinpointing the time and location of an attack would also provide critical information for law enforcement officers as they work to track down and apprehend the perpetrators of such a heinous attack. For all of these reasons, the early detection of a biological attack is of the utmost importance and why the BioWatch program is a vital part of our homeland security.

Like other cities, New York City has done its best to deploy early warning sensors to detect a biological attack. But it needs the support of the federal government in this endeavor. I ask that you direct the Department of Homeland Security to provide a briefing on what steps it is taking to implement the BioWatch program.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely,
Hillary Rodham Clinton

Source: Senator Hillary Clinton

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