COLUMNS

McHenry understands what it takes to keep America safe

Walter Kimble
Kimble

As we embark on another election cycle with to the United States Congress, several suspected terror incidents around theworld prompted me to share my experiences and interactions with Congressman Patrick McHenry and his staff.

On a number of occasions I have contacted Congressman McHenry’s office with regard to issues surrounding acts of foreign and domestic terror as well as aspects of proactivetarget-hardening. In each case, I have had a follow-up response within two days to my request. On several occasions, Congressman McHenry spoke with me directly surrounding legislation pending on target-hardening measures as well as seeking my opinion. He has been taken an active role in doing his best to keep America safe from those who seek to do us harm simply because we are Americans.

Patrick has placed an emphasis on not only effective legislation and funding on the national level to fight terror, but to also enlist and empower our law enforcement partners at the local level. Through such actions we have learned that “Hometown Security” is truly the bedrock for “Homeland Security.”

I recently spoke with a number of colleagues at an international conference surrounding topics of tourism safety and the threat of terrorism. Accessibility and responsiveness relating to interactions with our elected officials was discussed. I recounted my experiences in this regard to Congressman McHenry’s office. Several in the group expressed frustration with the inability to gain access to their respective government representatives on such important topics.

On the topic of Homeland Security, Congressman McHenry understands his responsibility in continuing to work to keep America safe from the scourge of terrorism.

Walter Kimble is a resident of Gastonia.