Subject: RELEASE: Clinton Calls on President to Commit Needed Resources for Detection of Biological Attacks
From: "Clinton, Press Office (Clinton)" <[email-masked]>
Date: Wed, 9 Jan 2008 13:56:31 -0500

For Immediate Release

January 9, 2007

Contact:  Press Office

202-224-2243

CLINTON CALLS ON PRESIDENT TO COMMIT NEEDED RESOURCES FOR DETECTION OF
BIOLOGICAL ATTACKS

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