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LEGISLATIVE NEWS
9/11 Legislation
During the third quarter of 2007, the House and Senate met in conference to reach a compromise on differences between versions of legislation to implement the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission. Differences were reconciled and the final bill was approved by Congress and signed into law by the President on August 3, 2007.
Public Law No: 110-53 directs the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to develop a voluntary, industry-specific national preparedness standard and accreditation program for the protection of critical infrastructures. ASIS is encouraging DHS to utilize the ASIS Guidelines & Standards as a basis for this program, as they reflect the realities of security across widely different industry sectors. ASIS believes its Guidelines and Standards are the carefully considered products of security professionals in critical infrastructures and that they are more likely to be accepted by the private sector than would standards developed and imposed by government.
California "Pretexting" Legislation
ASIS was asked by members who are investigators to take an official position against legislation being considered in California which would outlaw “pretexting.” Pretexting is described as the use of false, fraudulent, or fictitious information in order to gather personal information during investigations. After considerable study and discussion, ASIS leadership devised a position stating that ASIS supports the important work done by private investigators and urges California legislators to work closely with members of the private investigations community before passing a law totally prohibiting the use of pretext in investigations. A letter expressing this position signed by President Steve D. Chupa, CPP, was sent to members of the California State Assembly Committee on the Judiciary, where the bill is scheduled to have its next hearing. ASIS stated repeatedly that it understands and will speak to the importance of investigations, but that it will not invest its reputation in an effort to convince lawmakers to not outlaw pretexting until such time as the investigations community is able to develop and present a convincing code of self-regulation that would assuage lawmaker and constituent concerns about possible abuses.
HOMELAND SECURITY NEWS
ASIS monitored House and Senate Homeland Security Committee hearings focusing on holding the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) responsible for the nation’s security gaps. Secretary Chertoff cited the numerous achievements the Department has made within the past year in the areas of critical infrastructure protection, emergency response, preparedness, and operations and management of the department.
House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Bennie Thompson (D, 2nd-MS) gave Secretary Chertoff a “to-do” list for the Department, including: filling critical vacancies; drafting regulations for container security; releasing the long-overdue National Response Plan; issuing Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) cards to workers at U.S. ports; issuing a strategic plan to detect explosives at passenger screening checkpoints; and completing critical border security initiatives.
TOPOFF 4
ASIS participated in meetings with DHS to plan “Top Officials 4,” or “TOPOFF 4,” the national preparedness exercise which was held October 15-19 of this year. TOPOFF 4 was the fourth annual exercise conducted by DHS and the second one involving the private sector. ASIS notified many of its major corporate members about the exercise and encouraged them to participate. These exercises permit participants to play at their desks, to play with external participants or completely internally, and to play as much or as little as they wish. TOPOFF drills are considered excellent opportunities for organizations to review and test their contingency plans.
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BILLS TO WATCH
ASIS has taken a position opposed to state laws that would prohibit employers and others from having and enforcing policies to keep firearms off their premises. We continue to work against the progress of legislation in various states which would prevent employers from prohibiting firearms in their private parking areas, and will reach out to our volunteer leadership in these states to assist at the grassroots level. ASIS is partnering with the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce on this important effort.
A SUCCESSFUL FUNDRAISER!
Congressman Jon C. Porter (R-3rd, NV), second from left, mingles with ASISPAC supporters prior to dinner at Morton's in Las Vegas.
ASISPAC held our first major fundraising event during our Annual Seminar & Exhibits in Las Vegas on the evening of Sunday, September 23, 2007. Contributors were treated to a full-course dinner at Morton’s Steakhouse and were given the opportunity to spend personal time with Congressman Jon Porter (R, 3rd-NV), who represents the Las Vegas area, and fellow ASISPAC contributors. Congressman Porter is a member of the powerful House Committee on Ways and Means. He talked with all the attendees individually and delivered remarks recognizing the importance of security and security professionals.
The dinner raised $3500 for ASISPAC. We are very grateful to our contributors and all who helped make this event a success!
For more information regarding this newsletter or how to contribute to ASISPAC, please contact Kristin Watchorn (703.518.1487 or kwatchorn@asisonline.org).
CONTRIBUTIONS THIS QUARTER
Security Leader ($500 to $999)
Michael R. Cummings, CPP
Security Patron ($250 to $499)
Marene Allison
Geoffrey T. Craighead, CPP
Linda Florence, CPP
Henri Nolin, CPP
Securitas PAC
Security Advocate ($100 to $249)
Wayne Dexter, CPP
Patrick F. Donaldson
Thomas R. McElroy, CPP, PCI
Frank J. Santamorena, PSP
Michael D. Moberly
Steve D. Chupa, CPP
Jack Lichtenstein
Severin Sorenson, CPP
William Conley, PSP
Richard Widup, CPP
James Van Houten II, CPP
James A. Johnson
Robert D. Hulshouser, CPP
James E. McNeil, CPP
Security Friend ($50 to $99)
Larry K. Berenson, CPP
"Every man owes a part of his time and money to the business or industry in which he is engaged. No man has a moral right to withhold his support from an organization that is striving to improve conditions within his sphere."
- President Theodore Roosevelt |
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