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Homeland Security and Terrorism
- PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
The focus of the Baker Institute’s Homeland Security and Terrorism Program is to serve the Houston-Harris County region and its population by enhancing regional security. The Houston-Harris County region is one of the nation's top five economic targets for terrorists. The nation's fourth largest city serves as the capital of the international energy industry and is strategically critical to the nation’s economy and defense. In addition, the region contains the world's largest medical center and high-value symbolic targets such as NASA and former President Bush. Extremists, including those currently wanted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, are known to have lived and traveled through the region, and their organizations have shown the ability to carry out terrorist operations. Accordingly, the Homeland Security and Terrorism Program, in pursuit of Rice University president David Leebron’s objective of serving the city and the county, is a source of substantive advice and counsel on terrorism and homeland security issues.
The Homeland Security and Terrorism Program was initiated when Houston Mayor Lee Brown requested Baker Institute personnel to assess Houston’s ability to respond to an act of terrorism. Begun in January 2001, the assessment was completed in June 2002. More recently, an alliance has been formed with the city of Houston and Harris County for continual assessment of the security posture of the region, informed discourse with public officials and civic leaders of its findings, education of the public, and the proposition of measures to enhance security. These efforts are pursued under the aegis of the Houston–Harris County Regional Homeland Security Advisory Council, with Ambassador Edward P. Djerejian serving as chair.
To date, efforts on behalf of the program have assisted in and/or resulted in multiple changes in the city’s homeland security programs, the passage of several homeland security measures by the Texas Legislature, a memorandum of understanding between the State of Texas and the U.S. Coast Guard, numerous speaking events, seminars held at the Baker Institute, and the formation of an ad hoc law enforcement information-sharing network. Looking forward, the Homeland Security and Terrorism Program will remain vibrant in its mission to foster understanding and cooperation on homeland security issues and to encourage working relationships among relevant public and private agencies and individuals.
- PUBLICATIONS
- 2008
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Testimony before the Mexican American Legislative Caucus of the Texas House of Representatives
Jan 31 2008Joan Neuhaus Schaan
- 2007
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Testimony Before the Texas Senate Committee on Transportation and Homeland Security
Nov 16 2007Joan Neuhaus Schaan
