Reps. Taub, Amos, Vander Veen, Emmons and Mortimer offered the following resolution:

            House Resolution No. 149.

            A resolution to memorialize the Congress of the United States to increase efforts to protect our borders.

            Whereas, The current war on terrorism began on September 11, 2001, when terrorists unleashed an air assault on America’s military and financial power centers, hijacking commercial jets and crashing them into the World Trade Center in New York, and the Pentagon in Washington, D.C.  Thousands of innocent people were murdered, and the nation suffered billions of dollars in damages from this terrorist attack; and

            Whereas, In response to these attacks, in order to better coordinate security and emergency response efforts, the federal government created a federal Homeland Security Department and increased funding for antiterrorism efforts throughout the nation.  Border security is an essential component of creating a safe and secure homeland and the federal Homeland Security Department is responsible for protecting our borders.  As a border state that includes some of the busiest points of entry in the country, Michigan is acutely aware of the importance of this issue; and

            Whereas, In order to increase our safety and security, Congress should pass legislation that provides increased manpower and more sophisticated technology at the national borders.  United States border security should be able to apprehend illegal immigrants and potential terrorists before they enter the country and cause mayhem; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we memorialize the Congress of the United States to increase efforts to protect our borders; and be it further

            Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, the President of the United States Senate, and the members of the Michigan congressional delegation.