| ChicagoFIRST receives Congressional recognition
Reps. Biggert and Emanuel co-authored a provision in the recently passed Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevent Act of 2004 which advocates partnerships such as ChicagoFIRST and calls for further coordination between the public and private sectors. Both members expressed hope that ChicagoFIRST will pave the way for the formation of regional public-private partnerships in cities across the country. At the press conference ChicagoFIRST also discussed its plans to follow-up on Congress' recognition through its local outreach efforts and assistance in the formation of public-private partnerships throughout the country. "The financial industry is stronger and more resilient today as a result of the work done by ChicagoFIRST and its member organisations," said Brian Tishuk, executive director, ChicagoFIRST. "We stand ready to help other cities achieve the vision expressed by Congresswoman Biggert and Congressman Emanuel in the intelligence reorganisation bill." In this act, Biggert authored an amendment that commended the Treasury Department for working closely with state and local governments and regional public-private partnerships like ChicagoFIRST on emergency preparedness and response initiatives. The amendment also encourages Treasury and other Federal agency partners to foster the formation of public-private coalitions, similar to ChicagoFIRST that would educate consumers and employees of the financial services industry about domestic counter-terrorist financing activities. The amendment recommends that Treasury encourage public-private sector education initiatives on counter-terrorist financing plans and submit an annual report to Congress. "Only in Chicago have the key players come together to form an effective partnership that can coordinate disaster preparedness and response plans with major financial hubs throughout the area," Biggert said. "ChicagoFIRST did it first - and best - in Chicago, and we think they have set the gold standard that the rest of our nation's cities should emulate." Emanuel authored a provision that enhances national efforts to protect critical financial infrastructure in the event of a terrorist attack. Specifically, the provision calls for the Treasury Department to report within six months to the Congress on the progress it has made to encourage the public and private entities to work together on solutions to protect financial exchanges, networks and data. "I look forward to ChicagoFIRST and the Treasury Department working closely together along with other public-private partnerships to protect essential financial exchanges, networks and data," said Emanuel. "We in Congress are looking forward to receiving Treasury's report and to continue working to safeguard critical information systems." Chicago's leading financial services institutions formed ChicagoFIRST in July 2003 as an industry coalition that addresses Homeland security and business continuity issues.
•Date:
16th Dec 2004 • Region: N.America •Type:
Article •Topic:
BC general |
