Susan Collins Homeland Security

SENATOR COLLINS RE-ELECTED AS CHAIRMAN OF SENATE HOMELAND SECURITY AND GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE

Washington, DC – Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) today was re-elected by her peers in the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee to serve as Chairman for the 109th Congress. Senator Collins received unanimous support from the Republican members of the Committee to maintain the role in which she has served since January 2003.

“My goal this year is to continue promoting a bipartisan working environment in the Committee so that we can focus on tackling the important issues facing this country. I hope that the success we had at the end of last year with the bipartisan Collins-Lieberman intelligence reform legislation will start us off on the right foot this year,” said Senator Collins.

“I anticipate building on our work in the last Congress to strengthen our national security by, among other things, overseeing and improving the Department of Homeland Security and investigating sources of terrorism financing. I also plan to investigate wasteful government spending, modernize the United States Postal Service, investigate the United Nations “Oil for Food” Program, and enhance federal employee benefits,” Collins added.

Senator Collins first became Chairman of the Committee on Governmental Affairs on January 15, 2003. The Committee was renamed this year as the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee to reflect its expanded oversight of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Senator Collins is the first woman to Chair the Committee and the 15th woman in history to serve in the U.S. Senate. Prior to becoming Full Committee Chairman, she chaired the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations. Senator Collins has been a member of the Senate since 1996. ###

January 05, 2005 Contact: Elissa Davidson (202) 224-4751

426th Civil Affairs Battalion Mosul Iraq

Northern Iraq Village has Electricity for First Time in Years

Mosul, Iraq -- The 426th Civil Affairs Battalion worked with local Iraqis in northern Iraq to provide Alkishki Village with much needed electrical lines.

The $50,000 project provided 250 residents of Alkishki Village electricity. It is the first time the village’s school has had electricity.

“Throughout the construction schedule we received excellent support from the Dahuk Electrical Power Department,” said Maj. Robert Schultz, 426th team leader. “They had inspectors at the site on a regular basis to make sure the work was being done properly so the effort wouldn’t be wasted.”

More than a thousand meters of high capacity aluminum electrical wiring has been run to the village. A junction box and transformer added the finishing touch to the project. Release #050105w

Civil Affairs helps Blanket the Cold

Mosul, Iraq -- The 426th Civil Affairs Battalion has provided new shelter, blankets and kerosene heaters to the Amedi District in northern Iraq.

Computers, copiers and fax machines were also provided to the mayor’s office. These donations will enable communication to be more effective, and the new office equipment increases the office’s efficiency in assisting the displaced people of Amedi.

About 300 blankets and 60 kerosene heaters were purchased with funds from the Commander’s Emergency Response Program and handed out to internally displaced persons in the area.

Fifteen concrete homes are currently being erected for IDP’s. The project began in September and crews have been working to complete the construction before winter. The three-room structures provide a living room, kitchen and bedroom with working bathroom. Electricity will also be in the structures to power lights and heat the home. Release #050105t