Congressman Chris Smith (R-Hamilton), who in 2002 helped lead efforts in the Congress to establish the Independent Commission to investigate the September 11^th terrorist attacks, today welcomed the House of Representatives vote on (S 2845) the National Intelligence Reform Act of 2004. 

    “This is the survivor’s bill,” Smith said. “If not for the hard work, tenacity and dedication of the families of the victims of 9/11 we would not be here today. This vote, this reform package, is a milestone in a long and difficult journey for 9/11 families and our country.

    “I was an early and consistent advocate for the 9-11 Commission because I believed the families deserved answers and the nation needed a chronicled ‘lessons learned’” and a way to move forward to make us safer.

    “By any measure,” Smith said, “this legislation will improve our nation’s ability to protect itself against terrorism. It closes loopholes in our immigration procedures that allowed the hijackers to legally gain visas and access to the U.S."

    “The bill creates a permanent national intelligence director who will have direct authority over our intelligence agencies and who will have the power to redirect assets and resources as necessary,” Smith said. “It also creates new programs to upgrade airport and aviation security, enhance our border security, improve diplomacy, establish visa protection, bolster law enforcement, and properly address privacy and civil liberties concerns."

    “Many of us have worked hard over the last several years with the widows, mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, children and other relatives of the victims of September 11^th to help establish a meaningful investigation and produce comprehensive reform,” Smith said. “While no amount of legislative reform can completely heal their hearts, they can take some comfort in knowing that their government has responded and Americans will be safer because of their hard work and great efforts.”