Monday, February 13, 2006                                                                            Printable Version (PDF)

Washington, DC - Congresswoman Doris O. Matsui (CA-5) sent a letter (PDF) urging FBI Director Mueller, who will be in Sacramento this week to meet with special agents from the FBI’s Sacramento field office, to share the insight he gains as to Sacramento’s threat with policy makers in Washington, DC in order to impact the current debate over the Department of Homeland Security’s new eligibility guidelines for the Area Security Initiative (UASI) program.  This information could prove useful as Congresswoman Matsui works to ensure Sacramento remains eligible for funds under the UASI program. Following is the text of the letter:

February 10, 2006

Federal Bureau of Investigation
J. Edgar Hoover Building
935 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C. 20535-0001 

Dear Director Mueller,

I understand that you will be in Sacramento, California next week to meet with Special Agents and support personnel from the FBI’s Sacramento Field Office.

As you are probably aware, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently issued new eligibility guidelines for the Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) program.  As a result, Sacramento was deemed ineligible to apply for funding, but was allowed to apply for FY 06 funding since they received funding last year. The changes to the guidelines fail to take into consideration the actual threat Sacramento, and other major American cities face and will therefore result in a discrepancy between the needs of our law enforcement and first responder personnel and the funding they receive. I believe that a complete threat assessment of the Sacramento area would warrant guaranteed funding. 

To that end, I have been working with my colleagues in Congress and administration officials to have Sacramento’s threat assessment reviewed.  While in Sacramento, I urge you to discuss current terrorist investigations, possible terrorist targets and the ramifications that such an attack could have to California residents and the state’s critical infrastructure.  Any insight you can gain would benefit Sacramento residents and the people of California, as well as the policymakers in Washington making decisions about our nation’s security.

I hope you enjoy your visit to Sacramento and find the time spent here valuable.

Sincerely,

DORIS O. MATSUI
Member of Congress

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