Norton to Sound the Alarm on the Nation's Emergency Alert System (9/30/09)

Norton to Sound the Alarm on the Nation's Emergency Alert System

September 30, 2009

WASHINGTON, DC - Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), will chair a hearing today at 2 p.m., in room 2167 of the Rayburn House Office Building to warn the country that the nation's 1960s emergency alert system does not reach large sections of the country and puts Americans in jeopardy in case of natural disasters and terrorist events. "Many Americans already believe that in the high tech areas where most now live they have the capability to receive a Presidential emergency message via their cell phone, pda, or fax," Norton said. "However, in the event of a national emergency, like an act of extreme aggression against the nation, our President, and our nation's citizens must rely primarily on an Emergency Alert System (EAS) built in the 1960's." The hearing will begin with Government Accountability Office testimony concerning a "disturbing" report requested by Norton and Ranking Member Rep. Diaz-Balart detailing GAO's assessment of the nation's emergency alert system.

The hearing is part of Norton's ongoing efforts to coordinate emergency response agencies. The Congresswoman is chair of the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management convening the hearing, and also serves on the Committee on Homeland Security. Norton called the hearing because of continuing concerns about the lack of coordination among federal and state agencies that leaves the public in danger.

Witnesses will include: Mark L. Goldstein, Director, Physical Infrastructure Issues, Government Accountability Office; Damon C. Penn, Assistant Administrator, National Continuity Programs, Federal Emergency Management Agency; Richard Muth, Executive Director, Maryland Emergency Management Agency, State Emergency Operations Center; Jim Coletta, Collier County Commissioner, District 5; Lise Hamlin, Director of Public Policy and State Development, Hearing Loss Association of America; Juan Ramon, Representative, National Council of La Raza; Tom Axtell, General Manager, Vegas Public Broadcasting Service.