Number one sea port in north america for the importation of fresh fruit bananas, and juice, concentrate. If you had a banana this morning for breakfast it probably came through the port of wilmington. Our nickname is top banana. The top banana port. Port of wilmington isnt just important for the state of delaware, it serves as a key economic engine in new castle county, its also a key port for the entire United States. So protecting our ports, safeguarding our Economic Opportunity is responsibility that we take very seriously. As the Government Accountability office and other experts have noted, u. S. Port security has come a long way. Shortly after 9 11, the Maritime Transportation security act of 2002 became law and empowered the coast guard with new authorities to ensure commercial vessels and port facility meet minimum Security Standards. A few years later the safe port act of 2006 authorized key cargo and supply chains security programs enforced by u. S. Customs and Border Protect
This process. Ill just this is a long time ago, but ill share an experience with you. I bought a company in puerto rico, put it into four containers, all the equipment. Everything that was there. All four container arrived at one of my plants here. All the seals were there. When we opened the containers, everything of significant value that could have been marketed was gone. But the seals were still there. So the fact is, and that was way before 9 11. That was in the 70s. But the fact is, that people will try to do it. So my question is, is i guess my question is really this, do we have the capability to track ships from the time they leave a port until the time arrive here and know whether or not theyve been boarded or accessed between this embarkment and the embark here . Thats the question that i probably cant answer. Got you. All right. Thank you. Senator, did you want me to touch upon the metrics issue . Yes please. I think at the strategic level. A more detailed functional plan,
14 grant cycle. 100 million was appropriated for the program this year. Applications came in on may 23rd. The field reviews, as the admiral mentioned, we work very closely with the coast guard. We have a twotiered review process. Captains of the port work with the port area and the local and State Government through area Maritime Security committees to prioritize projects. Those applications are under that field review right now and will be referred for a National Panel review here at the Headquarters Level later this month and then we expect to announce awards by the end of july. And so ill close by saying that we look forward to the continuing dialogue about how we can continue to make these investments in the most effective and efficient way possible. We think they have made a real difference and i look forward to answering any questions you may have. Good, thanks. Nice job. Steve, please proceed. Thank you, welcome. Good morning, chairman carper, Ranking Member coburn, distinguishe
To meaningfully deescalate the crisis and provide an opportunity to move forward diplomatically. It has to recognize the results of the election and engage directly with the government of ukraine. It needs to completely withdraw its military forces from the border area, stop the flow of militants and weapons across the border, exercise influence among armed separatists, renounce violence, resolve their differences peacefully and, of course, in terms of what it cant do, no military intervention. If russia takes these steps its equally important that ukraine respond in an appropriate manner. The president elect has a plan for what he calls peace, unity, and reform. It includes things like pursuing the national dialogue, a ceasefire, decentralization, amnesty for those who put down their weapons and drawing separatists into the political process. Ukraine should pursue those steps. It should avoid having to pursue martial law, disproportionate use of force, or fullscale Counterterrorism Op
Up next on c span 3, a hearing on Port Security. After that, senator al franken introduces legislation that taelts to prevent companies and government organizations from tracking a persons location on their smart phones wow their consent. Later, a forum on Cyber Security from bloomberg government. Discusses syria civil war. The look at the growing phenomenon of children illegally entering the u. S. Without their parents. Well talk to usa today reporter alan gomez. U. S. Customs and Transportation Security Administration officials testified about Port Security issues, including cargo screening. The Senate Homeland Security Committee is chaired by senator tom carper of delaware. Good morning, everyone. Were happy you to welcome you today and thank you for joining us. Dr. Coburn ive called this hearing, this is a hearing he has a whole lot of interest in, i have two, but its a shared a shared interest. We want to take a look at the current state of Port Security, and these United States o