Press Release
For immediate release
September 11, 2003
State Treasurer Urges Congressional Action on E911 Bill
Indiana 's Leadership Role in Wireless 911 Takes Center Stage in Washington Today
Washington , D.C. - On the second anniversary of the September 11 attacks, Treasurer Tim Berry testifies before Congress about a crucial public safety issue. He is sharing Indiana 's wireless 911 experience with members of Congress in hopes of spurring Congressional action.
As the Chairman of the Indiana Wireless Enhanced 911 Advisory Board, Berry has helped position Indiana as a leader in implementing life-saving wireless 911 technology. Treasurer Berry oversees Indiana 's wireless enhanced 911 (E911) implementation and has many opportunities to work with public safety officials and private sector leaders.
These experiences lead Berry to today's Congressional hearing where he testifies before the House Sub-Committee on Telecommunications and the Internet, a sub-committee of the House Energy and Commerce Committee.
Berry asks the committee to approve the proposed legislation in House Bill 2898 which includes provisions to improve homeland security, public safety, and citizen activated emergency response capabilities through the use of enhanced 911 wireless services.
Berry stated, "In addition to my official duties as Indiana 's Treasurer, E911 has become one of my top priorities as a concerned citizen, elected official, and parent. Unfortunately, funding for wireless 911 services is in grave danger."
In these tough economic times, many states are using designated wireless E911 funds to balance the state budget. Part of Treasurer Berry's focus is the fiscal side of wireless E911 in other states.
"As a state-elected official, former county official, and particularly a fiscally conservative treasurer, I find the act of diverting E911 funds reprehensible and irresponsible. Not only is it careless accounting, it is poor public policy," Berry told the committee.
Concluding, Treasurer Berry emphasized the importance of solid relationships between members of Congress and state officials. "The significance of building and maintaining relationships with state officials who oversee wireless E911 funding cannot be overestimated," Berry stated.
"It's [wireless E911] an essential part of our nation's homeland defense, our safety and security, our neighborhoods and towns, our families, and our future," Berry concluded as he thanked the members of the committee.
