Press Release - Congresswoman Laura Richardson

For Immediate Release
October 1, 2009

Contact: Jeff Billington
(202) 225-7924

Congresswoman Richardson Ushers in $15.4 Million in DHS Grants for Security at the Port of Long Beach

WASHINGTON — Congresswoman Laura Richardson has announced that the Port of Long Beach has been selected to receive $7.8 million from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to upgrade and strengthen port security operations. An additional $7.6 million DHS grant is being split between the City of Los Angeles, $6 million; the Long Beach Fire Department, $100,000; and the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, $1.4 million, to provide auxiliary security support to the Port.

At Congresswoman Richardson’s invitation, in April of this year, Secretary Napolitano visited the Port of Long Beach, which provides employment to one-in-eight Long Beach residents and which has been designated by the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) as one of the nation’s 14 “strategic ports.” During wartime and national emergencies, the DOD strategic ports are called upon to support the mobilization, deployment and resupply of U.S. forces.

"I am proud to join Congresswoman Richardson in announcing nearly $8 million in Recovery Act funds going toward the Port of Long Beach," said DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano. "This port security grant — part of $150 million announced nationwide — will improve our resiliency by enhancing and securing the port's communication networks and critical infrastructure while infusing Recovery Act dollars into the local community.

“This substantial grant will provide funding for necessary activities and operations to enhance the security of the Port of Long Beach, which handles nearly half of the nation’s cargo containers and, in times of war or international crisis, is a critical national security asset,” Congresswoman Richardson said. “One of my major priorities as a member of Congress and the House Homeland Security Committee is ensuring that the nation’s ports have the resources necessary to deter and withstand acts of terrorism and sabotage.

“In times of war, the role of ports is to connect the forts,” Congresswoman Richardson added. “The grant announced today will help ensure that the Port of Long Beach remains an economic catalyst and a national security asset.”

The Port of Long Beach plans to invest $6.8 million in grant funds to complete the port’s Fiber Optic Network project, a high-speed, interference free security communication system for the port complex. The remaining funds, about $1 million, will be used to install barriers, bollards, and fencing to protect critical structures.

Congresswoman Richardson is a Democrat from California’s 37^th Congressional District. She is a member of the House Committees on Transportation & Infrastructure and Homeland Security. Her district includes Long Beach, Compton, Carson, Watts, Willowbrook and Signal Hill.

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