Reps. Palmer, Acciavatti, Brandenburg, Accavitti, Bieda, Bradstreet, Caswell, DeRossett, Garfield, Gieleghem, Hager, Howell, Hummel, Julian, Koetje, Kooiman, Meyer, Milosch, Pappageorge, Pastor, Rocca, Sheen, Shulman, Vagnozzi, Vander Veen, Voorhees, Wojno and Ehardt offered the following resolution:

            House Resolution No. 47.

            A resolution to urge the United States Department of Homeland Security to locate its Midwestern headquarters at the Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Macomb County.

            Whereas, As our country continues to put in place stronger defenses against terrorism through homeland security measures, a key component will be the establishment of regional headquarters for the United States Department of Homeland Security.  The President has called for regional centers in his 2004 budget proposal; and

            Whereas, In the Midwest, an excellent site for a regional headquarters is the Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Macomb County.  The advantages this location offers range from low costs, unsurpassed strategic significance, and facilities that can provide for a swift and smooth transition to the responsibilities of homeland security work; and

            Whereas, Located at the heart of the nation's freshwater network and near several of the busiest international points of entry along our northern border, Selfridge is well positioned to handle quickly any type of task to protect America's people, resources, and infrastructure.  Clearly, this location offers opportunities for enhanced responsiveness to the challenges before us in safeguarding our nation in the years ahead; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we urge the United States Department of Homeland Security to locate its Midwestern headquarters at the Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Macomb County; and be it further

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