Date: 2016-05-18
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

The challenge is. as we learned from 9111. "operating within their specified scope of authority. preparedness leaders in characteristic bureaucratic fashion often serve to bolster the profile and import of their own organization. thereby creating a silo effect .. ." So let me speak as that Homeland Security member and the person who has been engaged in the crises or disasters in my own community. When we collaborate we work better together. When we develop relationships. we work better together. Let me just offer a moment of personal privilege as someone speaking about relationships. This bill has many good elements in it. and I am propelled and committed to diversity and respecting all people. I am saddened by the language that the Russell amendment has dealing with the LGBT. and I am saddened that the Dent amendment was not allowed in. We need to build on collaborating with all people to secure America and to make a better military. I thank the gentleman for the support of my amendment in the en bloc. Mr. Chair. I rise in support of En Bloc Amendment Number 4 to H.R. 4909. the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017. offered by Chairman THORNBERRY. I want to express my thanks and appreciation to Chairman THORNBERRY and Ranking Member SMITH. and their colleagues on the Armed Services Committee for their work thank on this bill and their devotion to the men and women of the Armed Forces. I also thank Chairman SESSIONS and Ranking Member SLAUGHTER of the Rules Committee for making in order Jackson Lee Amendment Number 64. which is included in En Bloc Amendment Number 4. Jackson Lee Amendment Number 64 makes an important contribution to the bill by improving the effectiveness of the Northern Command ("NORTHCOM") in fulfilling its critical mission of protecting the U.S. homeland in event of war and to provide support to local. state. and federal authorities in times of national emergency. Specifically. Jackson Lee Amendment Number 64 encourages NORTHCOM to: 1. Develop and has in place a leadership strategy that will strengthen and foster necessary institutional and interpersonal relationships with state and local governments. and 2. Develop an instructional program to train key personnel how to lead effectively in the event of a disaster when they do not have command authority to dictate actions. A mission critical function of NORTHCOM. which was established in 2002 in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks is to bring the capabilities and the resources of the U.S. military to the assistance of the American people during a catastrophic disaster like war. a pandemic outbreak of diseases such Ebola. Zika. Sars. or influenza. major earthquakes. floods. and natural disasters. or terrorist attacks like those occurring on September 11. 2001 and at the Boston Marathon on April 15. 2013. NORTHCOM leaders will be much more effective in saving lives. protecting assets. and enhancing resilience after the disaster has occurred if they are trained in the techniques of effective engagement with civilian leadership. Jackson Lee Amendment Number 64 will help ensure that such training will be available. Mr. Chair. let me explain why this type of trainingcommonly referred to as "Resilience" training is very important. As stated in a highly influential journal article by Professor Leonard Marcus and his colleagues at Harvards National Public Leadership Initiative. "effective emergency preparedness and response requires leadership that can accomplish perceptive coordination and communication amongst diverse agencies and sectors." (Leonard J. Marcus. Barry C. Dorn. and Joseph M. Henderson. MetaLeadership and National Emergency Preparedness: A Model to Build Government Connectivity. in Biosecurity And Bioterrorism: Biodefense Strategy. Practice. And Science Volume 4. Number 2. 2006). The challenge is. as we learned from the 9/ 11 Commission. operating within their specified scope of authority. preparedness leaders in characteristic bureaucratic fashion often serve to bolster the profile and import of their own organization. thereby creating a silo effect that interferes with effective system wide planning and response. Resilience training seeks to equip preparedness leaders overcome this obstacle of "traditional silo thinking by teaching "metaleadership." a new type of overarching leadership that intentionally connects the purposes and work of different organizations or organizational units. Metaleadership training enables leaders to provide guidance. direction. and momentum across organizational lines that develop into a shared course of action and a commonality of purpose among people and agencies that are doing what may appear to be very different work. Metaleaders have the skill and training to imaginatively and effectively leverage system assets. information. and capacities. which a particularly critical function for organizations with emergency preparedness responsibilities like responding to terrorist attacks. natural disasters. or pandemic outbreaks of infectious diseases like the Ebola and the Zika Virus. which may disproportionately affect persons in the Gulf Coast region. including my congressional district in Houston. Texas. As a senior and charter member of the Homeland Security Committee. and the Ranking Member of Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime. Terrorism. Homeland Security. and Investigations. I have spent the better part of the last decade and a half working to craft policies and provide the resources. personnel. equipment. and funding needed to protect the security of our homeland and the American people. Jackson Lee Amendment Number 64 will help ensure that those responsible for providing leadership in times of national emergency have the skills and training to prevent. mitigate. or recover from any major catastrophe. disaster. or tragedy that could befall our nation. I urge my colleagues to support En Bloc Amendment Number 64 and thank the Chairman and Ranking Member for including Jackson Lee Amendment Number 64 in this important measure.