Sen. Murray Speaks with Port of Ilwaco Commissioner, Jim Stiebritz

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Murray Recognized for Commitment to Emergency Management & Homeland Security

Senator Murray is awarded the Congressional Recognition Award for her contributions in recognizing emergency management and homeland security by the National Emergency Management Association (NEMA).



?Her wisdom and leadership have been a guiding force in achieving a safer environment for our citizens, communities and our nation," said Glen Woodbury, Washington State?s Emergency Management Director.


Glen Woodbury is pictured with Senator Murray.



Murray's Remarks

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Senator Murray Meets with Port of Chelan County Deputy Director, Joyce Stewart

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The Future of Port Security: The GreenLane Maritime Cargo Security Act - Senator Collins

Senator Collins:




Today, the Committee considers the GreenLane Maritime Cargo Security Act, which Senator Patty Murray and I introduced last November with our colleagues Senator Lieberman and Senator Coleman. I am pleased to be joined in this bipartisan, bicameral effort by two of our House colleagues, Representatives Dan Lungren and Jane Harman,
two leaders of this issue.




This hearing builds on our extensive efforts to enhance the security of our nation?s maritime transportation system and the international supply chain. Seaports are more than waterfront facilities. They are crucial links in a supply chain that includes all modes of transportation and that reaches across the country and around the world. They also are profoundly and unacceptably at risk.




The urgency cannot be overstated. Approximately 95
percent of our nation?s trade, worth nearly $1 trillion, enters or leaves through our seaports. Our ports receive some 8,555 foreign vessels, which make more than 55,000 calls per year. These ships carry the bulk of the approximately 800 million tons of goods that came into our country, including more than 175 billion gallons of oil and other fuels.




In fiscal year 2005, these vessels also brought more than eleven million containers. The number of containers entering this country by sea continues to grow by more than 10 percent per year. While this figure represents robust trade, it also
signals a considerable risk to our nation?s security.




Full Testimony | Hearing Transcript




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Working to Secure Our Nation's Ports

Senator Murray and Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY) received a security briefing at the Port of Seattle, viewed a technology demonstration and toured the Coast Guard's new small response boat (pictured behind them), which is made in Port Orchard, WA. Both Senators represent some of the nation's busiest cargo ports (Murray's Seattle/Tacoma is the 3rd busiest; Clinton's New York/New Jersey is the 2nd busiest).




"I asked Senator Clinton to join me at the Port of Seattle today because there are a lot of similarities between this Port and the Port of New York/New Jersey: both are among the largest container ports in the country, both are participating in Operation Safe Commerce, both have heavy ferry and cruise ship traffic, and both are located right next to the city's downtown core. It's critical that we do all can to keep our ports secure and to learn from each other. I've visited Senator Clinton's port and today she's visiting one of mine. Full Remarks




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Fighting for Operation Safe Commerce

Senator Murray meets with leaders from the nation?s largest ports for an update on Operation Safe Commerce, a port security initiative that Murray created in 2002. Pictured from left to right: Bill Ellis (Port of Long Beach), George Cummings (Port of Los Angeles), Senator Murray, Beth Rooney (Port of New York/New Jersey). Not pictured: Mike Zachary (Ports of Tacoma and Seattle).




In his FY 2005 budget, President Bush eliminates Operation Safe Commerce, and cuts Port Security Grants by 63%. Murray is using her position on the Budget Committee to fight those cuts and protect our ports and communities.




More on port security.

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Murray Celebrates First Container Shipment Tracked by Operation Safe Commerce

Senator Murray joined with port, security, and trade leaders at the Port of Tacoma to celebrate the arrival of the first container shipment tracked by Operation Safe Commerce. Murray created the initiative to increase security at our nation?s ports.



"We can?t search every container that comes into our country. With more than 6 million a year, the haystack is just too big. So instead we?re using technology and intelligence to make the haystack smaller and show us which containers pose a security risk. Simply put, we?re creating a better way to protect our ports, our communities and our economy, and I?m proud to join with all of you in launching this new era. What we?re doing is important for us here in Puget Sound but also for our entire country. That?s because Operation Safe Commerce lays the foundation for a new national port security regime that is both secure and efficient."

Full Remarks | More on Port Security

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Murray Unveil's Nation's First Cargo Security Initiative

Today, Senator Murray unveiled a first-in-the-nation pilot program to reduce security vulnerabilities for cargo entering the ports of Seattle and Tacoma.

Sen. Murray is holding a "smart seal." This high-tech device is attached to a cargo container when it is loaded in Hong Kong or Singapore. The seal continuously relays the container's position to officials and alerts them if anyone tries to tamper with the cargo while it's in transit. (07/11/02)

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Senators Murray, Collins and Lieberman Share a Light Moment at Hearing on GreenLane Maritime Cargo Security Act

Port security legislation authored by Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman Susan Collins (R-ME), Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Ranking Committee Member Joe Lieberman (D-CT) and Senator Norm Coleman (R-MN) passed the Committee today and is awaiting consideration by the full Senate.




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Murray Helps Commission First Marine Safety and Security Team (MSST)

Because of Senator Murray's work, the Puget Sound received the first Marine Safety and Security Team (MSST) in the nation, which was commissioned on July 3, 2002 at a ceremony at Pier 36.

These highly-trained and well-armed crews can operate under the threat of hostile chemical, biological or radiological attacks.

Senator Murray speaks with crew members after the commissioning ceremony. (07/03/02)

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Murray Gets a Close Up Look at a Coast Guard MSST SAFE Boat

Senator Murray listens to Scott Peterson, SAFE Boat company?s Vice President, during a tour of the production facility. SAFE Boats recently won a $145 million contract to build as many as 700 boats for the U.S. Coast Guard. Murray secured $41 million last year to stand-up four Marine Safety and Security Teams, and directed that one team be stationed in Seattle. These Coast Guard ?SWAT Teams? use Safe Boat craft to conduct their anti-terrorism missions. Murray's Remarks

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Fighting for Fully Funding Port Security

Senator Murray speaks out on the President's homeland security budget that eliminates Operation Safe Commerce and underfunds the Marine Transportation Security Act.




"The truth about the President?s homeland security budget is that the rhetoric doesn?t match the reality. Our nation?s ports are an essential component of our economic infrastructure, and they represent one of our greatest vulnerabilities, but the Administration?s budget will weaken our investment in port security." Full Remarks | Video

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The Future of Port Security: The GreenLane Maritime Cargo Security Act - Mic Dinsmore, CEO, Port of Seattle

Mic Dinsmore:




"The Port of Seattle is very committed to ensuring that our port and those throughout the world are as safe as possible. We recognize that any terrorist incident that might occur at our facilities would have a disastrous effect not only on our business, but on the world economy. We saw some indication of those effects a few years ago when there was a 10-day west coast port ?lockout? and manufacturing plants in the Midwest began shutting down. A recent study cited a loss of $1 billion daily to the national economy as a result of the lockout."




Full Testimony | Hearing Transcript




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Murray Named "Port Person of the Year" by the American Association of Port Authorities

Senator Murray was presented with the American Association of Port Authorities' "Port Person of the Year" award this morning at the Association's annual Spring Conference.




Murray was introduced and presented with the award by Charlie Sheldon, Managing Director of the Port of Seattle's seaport division. Joining Sheldon in presenting the award were Jack Fabulich, the Port of Tacoma's Commissioner, Rick Larrabee, the NY/NJ Port Authority?s Director of Port Commerce and John Mohr, executive director of the Port of Everett.




"I will continue to make sure we are protecting our citizens, protecting our communities, and maintaining the efficient commerce system that supports jobs and our economy," Murray said in a keynote speech accepting the award. "I want to make sure that as we work to make our ports more secure we don't kill the efficiency that makes you so effective. If we don't address port security in a coordinated, comprehensive way, the American people will not be safe, and our economy will be threatened."




Port leaders throughout Washington state praised Murray for championing port security, fighting cuts to Army Corps of Engineers dredging projects, investing in port infrastructure, and funding freight mobility initiatives.
Full Release

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GreenLane Maritime Cargo Security Act

Senator Murray and Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine) announce their introduction of the GreenLane Maritime Cargo Security Act. Murray, a member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security, and Collins, Chairman of the full Senate Homeland Security Committee, co-authored the bill to improve the security of the millions of cargo containers that enter America's ports unchecked each year. Senators Norm Coleman (R-MN) and Joseph Lieberman (D-CT) are original cosponsors of this legislation.




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Murray's Remarks - | Bill Summary | Bill Details | Glossary of Terms

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Murray Unveil's Nation's First Cargo Security Initiative

Today, Senator Murray unveiled a first-in-the-nation pilot program to reduce security vulnerabilities for cargo entering the ports of Seattle and Tacoma.

A high-tech device called a "smart seal" is attached to a cargo container when it is loaded in Hong Kong or Singapore. The seal continuously relays the container's position to officials and alerts them if anyone tries to tamper with the cargo while it's in transit.

This chart illustrates how the new inspection system will operate. (07/11/02)

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A Partner In Progress with Washington's Ports

Senator Murray spoke to port commissioners from around WA State at their annual association meeting. Murray focused on the progress that has been made in the areas of infrastructure and freight mobility and outlined some of the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead. Full Remarks

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Pacific Northwest Waterways Association

Senator Murray listens to a question from Kim Puzey, general manager of the Port of Umatilla in Oregon. Kim is a member of the Pacific Northwest Waterways Association.




Last year, PNWA named Senator Murray it?s "Legislator of the Year." During their visits with Congressional leaders, PNWA members are seeking support for Senator Murray?s bipartisan port security bill, the GreenLane Maritime Cargo Security Act.

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Launching a Fast Patrol Boat

Sen. Murray celebrates the launching of the Coast Guard's new 85' Fast Patrol Boat. (L-R: Jason Martinson of Guardian Marine, Sen. Murray, Ted Roe & Bob Beal of Oregon Iron Works, and Coast Guard Admiral Erroll Brown.)

With top speeds of up to 45 knots, it's the fastest boat of its size in the Coast Guard inventory. It can outrun drug smugglers and support homeland security.

Sen. Murray secured $4.65 million in last year's Transportation Appropriations bill to make the launch possible. (09/06/02)

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Security at the Port of Tacoma

Senator Murray meets with Andrea Riniker, executive director of the Port of Tacoma, to discuss Operation Safe Commerce and infrastructure improvements. The port?s activities account for more than 28,000 jobs in Pierce County, and 101,000 jobs in Washington state.




More about Port Security

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Coast Guard's New 85' Fast Patrol Boat

Sen. Murray celebrates the launching of the Coast Guard's new 85' Fast Patrol Boat.

With top speeds of up to 45 knots, it's the fastest boat of its size in the Coast Guard inventory. It can outrun drug smugglers and support homeland security.

Sen. Murray secured $4.65 million in last year's Transportation Appropriations bill to make the launch possible.

(Pictured)The boat awaits final assembly the week before the launching. The hull was built in Tacoma and was outfitted in Vancouver. (08/30/02)

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Murray Questions Homeland Security Director<br><br> More on <a href="http://murray.senate.gov/homeland_security/">Homeland Security</a>

Senator Murray questioned Tom Ridge, secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, at a hearing today. Murray serves on the Senate?s Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee. (04/27/03)

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The Future of Port Security: The GreenLane Maritime Cargo Security Act - Rep. Daniel Lungren

Rep. Daniel Lungren:




"Let me pause here and take a moment to recognize the nature of this endeavor by Senators Collins and Murray. I think it is important to note that neither this effort in the Senate, nor the companion effort in the House with the ?Security and Accountability For Every Port Act,? is an afterthought to the recent Dubai Port World controversy. Senator Collins, Senator Murray and Senator Lieberman began work on this bill months before the now defunct acquisition of U.S. port operations by a United Arab Emirates-owned company made headlines around the country. Similarly, we had begun work in the House. Rather, I believe that the hullabaloo surrounding the DPW deal injected a sense of urgency in to the need for important port security reform."




Full Testimony | Hearing Transcript

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Marine SWAT Team for Puget Sound

Because of Senator Murray's work, the Puget Sound received the first Marine Safety and Security Team (MSST) in the nation, which was commissioned on July 3, 2002 at a ceremony at Pier 36.

These highly-trained and well-armed crews can operate under the threat of hostile chemical, biological or radiological attacks.

Senator Murray speaks with crew members after the commissioning ceremony. (07/03/02)

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Washington's Ports

Senator Murray meets with officials at the Port of Ridgefield. Pictured at right: Brent Grening, Director, Port of Ridgefield. (01/15/02)

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Securing Our Ports

Senator Murray meets with Admiral James Loy, the outgoing Deputy Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, to discuss her ongoing concern for improving cargo security.




More on Port Security

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Marine SWAT Team for Puget Sound

Senator Murray secured funding for the nation's first marine "SWAT" team to protect the Puget Sound from terrorist attacks and other threats.

After the attack on the U.S.S. Cole and the September 11th terrorist attacks, Congress authorized new "Maritime Safety and Security Teams" (MSSTs).

The mission: to defend critical waterside facilities in strategic ports, protect military load-outs, enforce security zones, and stop drug trafficking and illegal migrants. (07/03/02)

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"Budget Must Reflect Our Values and Priorities."

In a major Senate floor speech one day after President Bush released his FY 2007 budget request, Senator Murray warns that the decisions made in the Congressional Budget resolution this year will determine the government's ability to meet the needs and priorities of the American people.




"The Federal Budget is the statement of our priorities as a people. It should be a moral, thoughtful document. It should carefully consider its impact on the nation's best-off and worst-off. Too often, I fear, this impact is overlooked in all the details and process. Its impact is lost in the time from the budget's passage to the enactment of the final appropriations bills."






"We need a government that reflects our values ? and provides real economic incentives to encourage job creation," Murray said. "We can do that by investing in our infrastructure, providing affordable, accessible healthcare, supporting energy independence, providing education for all of our children, and protecting our ports and borders."





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Murray Addresses the Pacific Northwest Waterways Association

Senator Murray speaks to more than 100 transportation and economic development leaders in Vancouver at a meeting of the Pacific Northwest Waterways Association (PNWA). After her speech, the association named Murray?s its first ?Legislator of the Year? for her work improving the region?s transportation system, ports and waterways.




From left to right are Larry Paulson (Port of Vancouver), Senator Murray, and Kristin Meira (Government Relations Director).




In her remarks, Murray said the federal government must make smarter investments in the region?s infrastructure.




Read her Speech

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Murray Helps Commission Security Boat

Senator Murray secured funding for the nation's first marine "SWAT" team to protect the Puget Sound from terrorist attacks and other threats.

After the attack on the U.S.S. Cole and the September 11th terrorist attacks, Congress authorized new "Maritime Safety and Security Teams" (MSSTs).

The mission: to defend critical waterside facilities in strategic ports, protect military load-outs, enforce security zones, and stop drug trafficking and illegal migrants. (07/03/02)

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Sen. Murray Meets with Whatcom Council of Government Members

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Visiting Port of Tacoma

Senator Murray toured the newly renovated administration facility and received a briefing from Port officials on Hylebos clean-up, the Blair waterway expansions project, and Operation Safe Commerce. Murray's Remarks

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The Future of Port Security: The GreenLane Maritime Cargo Security Act - Rep. Jane Harman

Rep. Jane Harman:




"Central to success ? on port security and the war on terrorism in general ? is better intelligence and better technology. These two coordinates apply as much to immigration and border points of entry as they do to port security. Timely, accurate information and intelligence is the major lynchpin to the battle on terrorism. We can lock the front and back doors to terrorists, but we can be assured they will try to find a side door. Higher fences are not the answer: experience shows that those intent on entering will find a way. But if we ?know? the person or item to look for, we can use resources to keep them out ? or find them in our midst. Better intelligence is the key to container security and border security."




Full Testimony | Hearing Transcript




More on GreenLane

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Sen. Murray Addresses the Pacific NW Waterways Association

Sen. Murray spoke to the delegates of the Pacific NW Waterways Assc. about security and commerce. (02/26/03)

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Helping Tacoma Lead the Way on High-Tech Security Advances

Senator Murray joins representatives of the Port of Tacoma, Coast Guard, Customs, DNDO, port workers, and members of the Tacoma business community to celebrate the placement of the Intermodal Radiation Test Center at the Port of Tacoma. The Intermodal Test Center will pioneer new technology in cargo radiation screening that will allow trains to be screened for radiological materials.




The center was established as part of Senator Murray's landmark SAFE Ports Act which was signed into law last October. Murray also secured $5 million to fund the center in the 2007 Emergency Supplemental bill which is being debated in Congress.




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Tracking Cargo Containers, Protecting Our Ports

Senator Murray joins Port of Seattle CEO Mic Dinsmore and Sakthip Krairiksh, Thai Ambassador, at a port security press conference touting a new security demonstration project, STAR-Best. The project partners the Port of Seattle with the Port of Laem Chabang to track cargo containers from Thailand through their arrival in the United States. Murray's Remarks

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Murray's Port Security Bill Becomes Law

President Bush today signed into law legislation authored by Senator Murray that will dramatically improve the security of America's ports and cargo container system.




"Today marks the beginning of a new approach to the way this country protects its ports, its economy, and its people." said Senator Murray. "September 11th taught us all about our country's many vulnerabilities, and in the days following the attack my effort to safeguard our nation's ports began. After five long years of work, today's signing represents a tremendous victory in the effort to bring real security to the American people. "




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New Coast Guard Cutter Commissioning

Senator Murray and members of the U.S. Coast Guard commission the USCG Cutter Wahoo in Port Angeles, WA.

The Wahoo, one of five new patrol vessels that will arrive in the area over the next five months, will dramatically help the Coast Guard's efforts in securing the region.

"Today's commissioning is just the start of an effort to improve safety and security throughout the Puget Sound," said Sen. Murray.

As chair of the Senate Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee, Sen. Murray has secured an historic 20 percent increase in federal funds for the U.S. Coast Guard, and continues to make port security a top priority. (08/09/02)

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Murray Sets Forth Agenda to Help Washingtonians in the Upcoming Congress

Today, Senator Murray sat down with reporters from Washington state to discuss how she will fight for Washington state residents in the 110th Congress. Senator Murray, who is the fourth-ranking member of the Democratic leadership, discussed several areas in which she will work to help Washington state communities.




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| Watch Murray's Priorities Floor Speech

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Murray Outlines Priorities for the 110th Congress

In her first speech on the Senate floor in 2007, Senator Murray speaks about some of her priorities for the new session of the 110th Congress.




Listen to Murray's Speech

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