FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sen. Tom Wyss assists in final development of ‘Real ID’ program
(STATEHOUSE) – It will be a shield, a security force and border patrol all wrapped up in one. Sen. Tom Wyss (R-Fort Wayne) said today he was honored to play an active role with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security in their efforts to promulgate the final regulations for the Real ID program – an identification process that will help stop terrorism, prevent international ID theft and protect America’s borders from the tide of illegal immigration.
Final “Real ID” regulations were released today, fully 120 days before the implementation deadline. Wyss said many of the regulations reflect comments and recommendations submitted by the National Governors Association, the National Conference of State Legislatures and the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators.
“The U.S. Department of Homeland Security took input from BMVs and governors from across the nation,” Wyss said. “I, along with DHS, believe these regulations will help make us all safer and more secure, whether we’re traveling or simply doing business in our communities.”
According to Wyss, the “Real ID” act originated from the 9/11 Commission as a way of improving the U.S. system for issuing secure identification documents. Congress mandated this system in 2005. Deadline for implementation is May of 2008. States can file for an extension and Wyss said Indiana has already made such a request. Based on his conversations with the DHS, he believes it will be approved.
“Indiana has been extremely pro-active and is far ahead of many others in this process,” said Wyss, – co-chair of the Homeland Security and Preparedness Task force for the National Conference of State Legislatures. “This will be a definite deterrent to identity theft. It will help identify illegal aliens. Remember, many of the terrorists who carried out the September 11 attacks had fake IDs.”
Wyss emphasized citizens won’t need to do anything to comply with the “Real ID” act. These proposed regulations simply establish common standards for states in their issuance of drivers licenses and state identifications.
Wyss has become quite active in many aspects of Homeland Security. In addition to chairing the Indiana Senate Committee on Homeland Security, Transportation and Veterans Affairs, he is also a member of:
- the National Homeland Security Consortium,
- the GLOBAL Advisory Committee for the U.S. Department of Justice, and
- the State and Local Officials Senior Advisory Committee for Homeland Security Advisory Council
In his work with Homeland Security, Wyss has also had an opportunity to help with an historic transition. He has served as a member of the Homeland Security Transition Task Force team, preparing for a new U.S. president to be elected in 2008 and the first administration transition since the agency was formed. Wyss was in Washington on Thursday as recommendations were given to the full Homeland Security Advisory Council and Security Michael Chertoff.
“We want to have a seamless transition,” Wyss said. “We have seen over the years in places like Germany, Spain and England that terrorist attacks most often occur when the government is in transition. Just because our government will soon be in transition doesn’t mean it has to be vulnerable.”
Sen. Tom Wyss is from Fort Wayne and represents District 15. He is chairman of the Homeland Security,Transportation and Veteran Affairs Committee in the Indiana Senate.
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