The Week Ahead: House Committee on Homeland Security

Washington, D.C. (Friday, February 11, 2011) – Today, ­U.S. Rep. Peter T. King (R-NY), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, announced the following Committee events for next week:

Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security Hearing

Rep. Candice Miller (MI), Chairman

“Securing our Borders – Operational Control and the Path Forward”

Tuesday, February 15, 2011, 10:00 a.m.
311 Cannon House Office Building

Invited witnesses include:

Chief Michael J. Fisher, Border Patrol, Department of Homeland Security
Mr. Richard M. Stana, Director, Homeland Security and Justice, Government Accountability Office

Full Committee Hearing

“The President’s FY 2012 Budget Request for the Department of Homeland Security.”

Thursday, February 17, 2011, 10:00 a.m.
311 Cannon House Office Building

Invited witnesses include:
Hon. Janet Napolitano, Secretary, Department of Homeland Security

Long-term Outlook

The week of March 7, the Committee will convene the first in a series of hearings examining al Qaeda’s coordinated radicalization and recruitment of people within the American Muslim community. ###

TEXT and IMAGE CREDIT: Committee on Homeland Security U.S. House of Representatives H2-176 Ford House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 Office: (202) 226-8417 Fax: (202) 226-3399 Media Inquiries Communications Director: Shane Wolfe.

Jeff Fortenberry Mubarak Resignation “the Right Decision for the Future of Egypt”

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Jeff Fortenberry today issued the following statement concerning Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak's resignation from office: "America stands for the right of the Egyptian people to realize their highest aspirations, and today's news of President Mubarak's resignation marks the most significant moment in Egypt's recent history. "Yesterday, I was stunned by President Mubarak's decision to remain in office, as were the Egyptian people. Today, I think he made the right decision for the future of Egypt, and fortunately, there was no major escalation in violence.

I am hopeful that the Egyptian military, now in power, will follow through on recent promises to amend Egypt's constitution, implement democratic changes, investigate the acts of violence that ensued in recent weeks, and advance an orderly and peaceful transition.

"The key pillars of democracy are respect for human rights and the rule of law, and it is my hope that institutional processes that undergird these tenets will evolve to maintain peace and consolidate Egypt's historic role as an ongoing moderating force in the Middle East. Former Egyptian President Anwar Sadat laid down his life for this peace, and it is fundamental to the stability of the region.

"It is also essential that democratic reforms in Egypt are inclusive of minorities, particularly women and Christians. Although some groups, such as the Muslim Brotherhood, want to restrict their civic engagement, a just and peaceful outcome will respect the rights of democratic participation for all citizens. This is clearly the outcome that protesters are seeking to achieve."

Fortenberry, who lived near Tahrir Square in Cairo, is the Vice Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Subcommittee with jurisdiction over Africa, and a member of the Subcommittee on the Middle East and South Asia. ###

TEXT and IMAGE CREDIT: fortenberry.house.gov Washington DC Office 1514 Longworth House Office Washington, DC 20515 p (202) 225-4806 f (202) 225-5686