Five Years Later...

Today marks the five year anniversary of the 9-11 attacks, in which over 2,000 innocent Americans were killed by terrorists.

As always, we need to remember those who were lost that day as well as celebrate and give praise to the brave first responders who sacrificed so greatly for their fellow Americans during our country's darkest hours.

They exemplified courage and brought out the best in our nation. They are true American heroes and they will not be forgotten.

I like many Americans would love to say today that our nation is more secure than it was five years ago, but I can't. It just wouldn't be true.

Case in point: our ports are not secure as about 99% of all cargo goes uninspected and our borders are not secure as illegal immigration is rampant. And worst of all, nothing is being done about it.

A few years back, the bi-partisan 9-11 Commission introduced 41 specific recommendations that our country should adhere to that would help improve the security of our homeland. Thus far, the Washington Republicans have yet to act on these proposals.

Just last month we saw that the threat of terror has not gone away. That is why it is so crucial that we make the corrections soon to secure our nation. One way to do so is to elect leaders who fully understand the vitality of our security.

Congressman Ford is one of those leaders. He understands that nothing is more important than our security. That is why he has stopped at nothing to try and protect our nation.

For example, earlier this year when President Bush tried to sell our nation's ports to the United Arab Emirates, Congressman Ford was a leader in seeing that it didn't happen. He understood that having a nation in which some of the 9/11 hijackers came from run our ports was not a smart or secure idea.

Second, Congressman Ford split with his party this year and voted for the toughest immigration bill in Congress. The Congressman put security ahead of party and voted for the Sensenbrenner bill, which would beef up security at the border and enforce the rules that are currently on the books.

Third, Congressman Ford understands that our oil addiction is hurting our effort to thwart the terrorists and secure our nation. Ford knows that it is a bad thing that five years after 9/11, we consume and pay more for oil from the Middle East which subsidizes the terrorists we are fighting. He knows it is unwise for us to continue down a path in which we are forced to be the first generation of people in world to fight a war in which we are funding both sides. That is why he supports putting our nation on a path to energy independence so we don't have to cozy up to leaders around the world who wish to do our nation harm.

Fourth, Congressman Ford broke with his own party and voted for the reauthorization of the Patriot Act that is currently on the books. Despite what his opponents may want you to believe, Congressman Ford did vote in favor of the re authorization of the Patriot Act in 2006 as he knows it is a crucial part to the war on terror and in securing our nation.

Finally, Congressman Ford supports implementing the 9/11 Commission's 41 recommendations. Ford not only talked about doing so in one of his campaign ads, but also voted to do in Congress.

Bob Corker on the other hand, has nothing but a record of failure on security.

During his tenure as Mayor of Chattanooga, Corker let tens of thousands of 911 emergency calls go unanswered. Long before he was elected as the Mayor, Corker was informed of the 911 problem and was repeatedly asked by officials to hire more emergency operators and policemen to help the situation in Chattanooga. But he refused to do so, as he had to use the money elsewhere like giving himself a raise. In the end, the situation only got worse and people ended up dying because of Corker's incompetence.

This fall, lets not gamble with our security. It is time we send leaders to the United States Senate who understand that nothing is more important than our security and will stop at nothing to make sure it is protected.

A vote for Ford is a vote for real security.

The Record: Ford Is Consistent Supporter Of War On Terror, Troops Fighting It

Congressman Ford has supported over $5 trillion in funding for the Defense, Homeland Security, and intelligence agencies since 9/11 and introduced legislation to improve our efforts in the war on terror. He has supported every funding and appropriations bill requested by this Administration to fund the War on Terror.

[H.R. 1559, 4/3/2003; H.R. 3289, 10/31/2003; H.R. 5122 05/11/06; H.R. 2863, 6/20/2005, Passed 398-19; H.R. 4613, 6/22/2004; H.R. 2360, 10/6/2005; H.R. 3673, 09/08/2005; H.R. 1815, 05/25/2005; H.R. 1817, 05/18/2005; H.R. 2360, 5/17/2005; H.R. 1268, 5/5/2005; H.R. 1268, 03/16/2005; H.R. 4567, 10/9/2004; H.R. 4200, 10/09/2004; H.R. 4567; H.R. 1588, 11/07/2003; H.R. 2658, 9/24/2003; H.R. 2555, 9/24/2003; H.R. 2555, 9/10/2003; H.R. 2555, 6/24/2003; H.R. 5010, 10/10/2002; H.R. 4547, 07/24/02; H.R. 4775, 7/23/2002, Passed 397-32; H.R. 1383, introduced 3/17/2005]

Now, on to the fun part. Making a fool and a lair out of the Corker camp and the NRSC. Below are lies that they are telling about Congressman Ford, followed by the facts.

Congressman Ford Voted For The 9-11 Commission's 41 Recommendations

The two chairmen of the bi-partisan 9-11 Commission Tom Kean and Lee Hamilton, were opposed to this particular piece of legislation (HR 10) and believed it to be a flawed.

Their letter repeatedly stressed the fact that the Senate version S 2845, which Congressman Ford voted in favor of, was much more preferable to the Commission. (http://www.9-11pdp.org/press/2004-10-20_pr.pdf)

In the end, the record shows Congressman Ford rejected the weaker version of the intelligence reform bill, HR 10. Voted YES on agreeing to the Conference Report of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act, a bipartisan reform act which earlier passed in the Senate 96-2. This bill would reform the intelligence community and the intelligence and intelligence-related activities of the United States Government, and for other purposes. (S. 2845, 12/7/2004, Passed 336-75)

Moreover, Congressman Ford supported strengthening HR 10 by adopting provisions from the 9/11 Commission and President Bush endorsed Senate version of the bill. Congressman Ford Voted YES on the Menendez Amendment, an amendment in the nature of a substitute numbered 1 printed in House Report 108-751 to merge two bills endorsed by the 9/11 Commission: S. 2845 and S. 2774.

The amendment establishes a National Intelligence Director and makes improvements in intelligence activities, modifies laws relating to intelligence community management, establishes diplomatic means and provides foreign aid to combat terrorism, provides an integrated screening system and improves counter terrorist travel intelligence, enhances transportation security, provides resources to improve national preparedness and assist local first responders, and establishes a Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board. (Amdt to HR 10, 10/7/2004, Rejected 203-213)

Ford: A Long Record On Being Strong On Security

Congressman Ford has been to Iraq and Afghanistan four times since 9/11 and experienced first hand the courage and toughness of our troops in battle. Congressman Ford has consistently voted to ensure that our military is fully funded. He has supported every funding and appropriations bill requested by the Bush Administration to fund the War on Terror. Total, he has supported over $5 trillion in funding for the Defense, Homeland Security, and intelligence agencies since 9/11 and introduced legislation to improve our efforts in the war on terror.

Below are just a handful of votes that show Congressman Ford's strenght on securing out nation:

• Voted YES on Patriot Act Reauthorizing Amendments: Sensenbrenner, R-Wis., motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill that would amend legislation reauthorizing expiring provisions of the 2001 anti-terrorism law known as the Patriot Act to clarify that, under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, individuals who receive orders to hand over business records could challenge nondisclosure requirements after one year, those who receive national security letters would not be required to disclose the name of their attorney, and that libraries would not be considered wire or electronic communication service providers when functioning in their traditional roles, including providing Internet access. (S 2271, 3/7/06, Passed 280-138)
  
• Voted YES on Roving Wiretaps Amdendment: “Issa, R-Calif., amendment that would require authorities to notify the issuing judge of a venue change of a surveillance facility or place within 15 days or at the earliest reasonable time as determined by the court. It also would require authorities to specify the total number of electronic surveillances that have been or are being carried out. (Amdt to HR 3199, Passed 406-21)

• Voted YES on Anti-Terrorism Authority Legislation, which was designed to expand law enforcement's power to investigate suspected terrorists (H.R. 2975, Passed 337-79, 10/12/2001).

• Congressman Ford has authored legislation to protect the Tennessee National Guard: His bill calls on the Department of Defense to consult the nation’s Governors and Congress before making any changes to the Guard. A current Pentagon proposal would reduce the Tennessee National Guard by 10 percent and cut as many as 1,000 Tennessee guard slots.

• Voted YES on joint resolution to authorize President Bush to use the U.S. military as he deems necessary and appropriate to defend U.S. national security against Iraq and enforce U.N. Security Council resolutions regarding Iraq (H.J.R. 114, 10/10/2002, Passed 296-113).

• Voted YES to create the Department of Homeland Security (H.R. 5005, 07/26/2002, Passed 295-132).

• Voted YES on the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act that established Director of National Intelligence (S. 2845, 12/07/2004, Passed 336-75).

• Voted YES on Fiscal 2003 War Supplemental, which provided $77.9 billion in emergency supplemental appropriations including $62.5 billion for military operations in Iraq, $4.2 billion for homeland security and the war on terrorism (H.R. 1559, 4/3/2003 Passed 414-12).

• Voted YES for the $87.5 billion in emergency Fiscal 2004 spending Supplemental Defense Bill for military operations and reconstruction in Iraq and Afghanistan (H.R. 3289, 10/31/2003, Passed 298-121).

• Voted YES on Fiscal 2006 Supplemental Appropriations Conference Report. The bill that would appropriate $94.5 billion in emergency supplemental funding for fiscal 2006. It would provide $70.4 billion for defense and foreign aid and $19.8 billion for hurricane relief. It would provide $2.3 billion for pandemic flu preparations, and $1.2 billion for border security efforts. (HR 4939, 06/13/06, Passed 351-67)

• Voted YES on the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2007. The bill appropriates $35.97 billion for the Department of Homeland Security in FY 2007, including $7.85 billion for the operations of the United States Coast Guard, $6.44 billion for customs and border protection, including $115 million for the Secure Border Initiative, $4.70 billion for aviation security $4.39 billion for immigrant and customs enforcement (H.R. 5441, 06/06/06, Passed 389-9)

• Voted YES on National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2007. This House bill authorized $512.9 billion in defense spending for the 2007 fiscal year. (H.R. 5122 05/11/06, Passed 396-31)

• Voted YES on Fiscal 2006 Defense Appropriations Conference Report: Adoption of the conference report on the bill that would appropriate $453.5 billion for defense spending, including $50 billion for operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. The total includes $123.6 billion for operations and maintenance, $76.5 billion for procurement and $72.1 billion for research and development. It also includes $7.8 billion for ballistic missile defense and $97 billion for military personnel, including a 3.1 percent pay raise for military personnel. The total does not include a 1 percent across-the-board cut to all fiscal 2006 discretionary spending except Veterans Administration funding that was added to the legislation. It also would provide $29 billion for disaster assistance to hurricane-damaged areas and $3.8 billion for flu preparedness. (HR 2863 12/19/2005, Passed 308-106)

• Voted YES on Fiscal 2006 Defense Appropriations bill that would appropriate $408.9 billion, including $45.3 billion for operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. The total includes $116.1 billion for operations and maintenance, $76.8 billion for procurement and $71.7 billion for research and development. It also includes $7.6 billion for ballistic missile defense and $84.1 billion for military personnel, including a 3 percent pay raise for military personnel (H.R. 2863, 6/20/2005, Passed 398-19).

• Voted YES on passage of FY 2005 Defense Appropriations. This bill appropriated $417 billion for defense programs for fiscal 2005, including $25 billion in emergency funding for operations in Iraq and Afghanistan (H.R. 4613, 6/22/2004, Passed 403-1).

• Voted YES on Fiscal 2006 Homeland Security Appropriations conference bill that appropriated $31.9 billion in fiscal 2006 for the Homeland Security Department and related agencies. The bill included $6 billion for customs and border protection; $5.9 billion for the Transportation Security Administration, including fees; $7.8 billion for the Coast Guard; $1.2 billion for the Secret Service and $2.6 billion for response and recovery efforts conducted by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (H.R. 2360, 10/6/2005, Passed 347-70).

• Voted YES to appropriate $51.8 billion in fiscal 2005 supplemental spending for disaster relief to areas affected by Hurricane Katrina. The bill provided $50 billion for the Federal Emergency Management Agency, $1.4 billion for the Defense Department and $400 million for the Army Corps of Engineers (H.R. 3673, 09/08/2005, Passed 410-11).

• Voted YES on Fiscal 2006 Intelligence Authorization. The bill authorized classified amounts in fiscal 2006 for U.S. intelligence activities and agencies including the CIA, the National Security Agency, the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency and the Defense Intelligence Agency (H.R. 2475, 6/21/2005, Passed 409-16).

• Voted YES on the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2006, which appropriated $441.6 billion for the Department of Defense (H.R. 1815, 05/25/2005, Passed 390-39).

• Voted YES on passage of the Department of Homeland Security Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2006, which authorized $34.2 in appropriations for fiscal year 2006 the Department (H.R. 1817, 05/18/2005, Passed 424-1).

• Voted YES on Fiscal 2006 Homeland Security Appropriations to provide $31.9 billion in fiscal 2006 for the Homeland Security Department, including $22 billion for security, enforcement and investigation activities, such as the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Coast Guard and the Secret Service. It provided $5.7 billion for the Transportation Security Administration and $3.6 billion for the Office of State and Local Coordination and Preparedness, including $2.8 billion for state and local homeland security grant programs. It also withheld $310 million from the department until it implements new air cargo screening measures and deploys more explosive-detection technologies at airports around the country (H.R. 2360, 5/17/2005, Passed 424-1).

• Voted YES on Fiscal 2006 Homeland Security Appropriations’ Chemical Plant Security amendment that increased funding by $50 million for state and local grant programs to improve security of chemical plants. The amendment was offset by a $50 million cut for the Office of the Under Secretary for Management (H.R. 2360, 5/17/2005, Passed 225-198).

• Voted YES to recommit Fiscal 2005 Supplemental Appropriations to the conference committee with instructions to include Senate language that would provide for the highest levels of funding for immigration and customs enforcement (H.R. 1268, 5/5/2005, Failed 201-225).

• Voted YES on the $82.4 billion Supplemental Defense Bill in 2005 that made emergency supplemental appropriations for Department of Defense, the global war on terror and tsunami relief (H.R. 1268, 03/16/2005, Passed 388-43).

• Voted YES on Fiscal 2005 Homeland Security Appropriations Conference Report that appropriated $33.1 billion in fiscal 2005 for the Department of Homeland Security and related agencies. The bill included $6.3 billion for customs and border protection; $5.2 billion for the Transportation Security Administration; $7.4 billion for the Coast Guard; $1.2 billion for the Secret Service and $5.5 billion for emergency preparedness and response, including $3.1 billion for the state and local programs (H.R. 4567, 10/9/2004, Passed 368-0).

• Voted YES on the passage of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2005, the conference report authorized $445.6 billion for the Defense Department and Energy Department’s national security programs, including $25 billion in additional funds for operations in Iraq and more than $2 billion for increased protection of U.S. troops there (H.R. 4200, 10/09/2004, Passed 359-14).

• Voted YES on Information Access amendment that directed the Homeland Security secretary to ensure that all security screening personnel have access to law enforcement and intelligence information maintained by the Department of Homeland Security. The Secretary of Homeland Security would be required to provide Congress with an overview of all department agencies, databases, and other capabilities relating to terrorism, drug trafficking, illegal immigration, screening, investigations, and inspection of goods or individuals entering the United States (Amendment to H.R. 10, 10/8/2004, Passed 410-0).

• Voted YES on motion to instruct House conferees for Fiscal 2005 Homeland Security Appropriations to insist on a conference report that would include the highest possible funding levels for homeland security first-responders, domestic preparedness, emergency management performance grants, fire grants, flood maps and disaster mitigation programs (H.R. 4567, 10/7/2004 Passed 395-16).

• Voted YES on FY 05 Intelligence Authorization Act , which authorized appropriations classified amounts in fiscal 2005 for U.S. intelligence activities and agencies including the CIA, the National Security Agency, the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency and the Defense Intelligence Agency (H.R. 4548, 06/23/2004, Passed 360-61).

• Voted NO on an amendment to reduce funding for intelligence programs – such as the CIA, the General Defense Intelligence Program, the Joint Military Intelligence Program, and the Army Tactical Intelligence and Related Activities Program – by 25% (Amendment to H.R. 4548, 06/23/04, Failed 149-270).

• Voted YES for 2005 Homeland Security Appropriations to provide $33.1 billion in fiscal 2005 for the Department of Homeland Security, including $2.5 billion previously enacted for Project Bioshield. It would provide $20.6 billion for security, enforcement and investigation activities, such as the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Coast Guard and the Secret Service. It also would provide $5.1 billion for the Transportation and Security Administration. It also would provide $4.1 billion for the Office of State and Local Coordination and Preparedness, including $3.4 billion for state and local homeland security grant programs. The bill, as amended, would prohibit the use of funds to privatize or contract out services provided by the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (H.R. 4567, 6/18/2004, Passed 400-5).

• Voted YES on the $401 billion Defense Authorization bill for Fiscal Year 2004 (H.R. 1588, 11/07/2003, Passed on 362-40).

• Voted YES on passage of Fiscal 2004 Defense Appropriations. The bill appropriated $368.7 billion in fiscal 2004 for defense and national security (H.R. 2658, 9/24/2003, Passed 407-15).

• Voted YES on Homeland Security Appropriations Conference Report the bill appropriated $30.4 billion in fiscal 2004 spending for the Homeland Security Department and related agencies, about $1 billion more than the administration’s request. The measure included $5.8 billion for customs and border protection, $3.7 billion for immigration enforcement, $4.6 billion for the Transportation Security Administration and $6.8 billion for the Coast Guard (H.R. 2555 , 9/24/2003, Passed 417-8).

• Voted YES on motion to instruct House conferees for Fiscal 2004 Homeland Security Appropriations insist on inclusion of the highest possible level of funding for Homeland Security, preparedness and disaster response programs within the bill and to insist on House language that would bar the use of funds for any aviation cargo security plan that allows the transporting of unscreened or uninspected cargo on passenger planes (H.R. 2555, 9/10/2003, Passed 347-74).

• Voted YES on Fiscal 2004 Intelligence Authorization. The bill authorized classified amounts in fiscal 2004 for U.S. intelligence activities and agencies including the CIA, the National Security Agency, the National Imagery and Mapping Agency and the Defense Intelligence Agency (H.R. 2417, Passed 410-9, 6/26/2003).

• Voted YES on Intelligence Overhaul Conference Report, a bill that reorganized 15 U.S. intelligence agencies and created a new director of national intelligence to oversee all U.S. intelligence activities and determine the intelligence budget. The National Counterterrorism Center will serve as the primary organization for analyzing and integrating all U.S. intelligence pertaining to terrorism and counterterrorism. The measure would also authorize approximately 10,000 additional border patrol agents over five years, and new programs and pilot projects to upgrade airport and airplane security (S. 2845, 12/7/2004, Passed 336-75).

• Voted YES on Fiscal 2004 Homeland Security Appropriations, which provided a total of $30.4 billion, including $29.4 billion in discretionary spending, in fiscal 2004 for the Department of Homeland Security (H.R. 2555, 6/24/2003, Passed 425-2).

• Voted YES on amendment to Fiscal 2004 Homeland Security Appropriations that would bar the use of funds to approve, renew or implement any aviation cargo security plan that allows the transporting of unscreened or uninspected cargo on passenger planes (H.R. 2555, 6/24/2003, Passed 278-146).

• Voted YES on FY 2003 Defense Appropriations, which provided $355.1 billion for the Defense Department for fiscal 2003, an increase of $21 billion over fiscal 2002 regular and supplemental funds (H.R. 5010, 10/10/2002 Passed 409-14).

• Voted YES on Fiscal 2003 War Funds Authorization. This motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill that would authorize $10 billion for operations conducted as part of the war on terrorism in fiscal 2003, and add that to the fiscal 2003 Defense Department authorization bill. The bill would authorize $3.5 billion for operations associated with the war, including domestic air patrols and military operations in Afghanistan, and $1 billion to replace equipment lost during operations. The president would have wide latitude to designate such funds. The bill would authorizes $3.1 billion for a variety of procurement, research and development, and operations and maintenance programs previously authorized in the House-passed Defense Department authorization bill, but now contained in this bill. The measure also would authorize almost $2 billion for classified activities, including $1.6 billion for procurement, $302 million for operations and maintenance, and $60 million for research and development. The bill also would authorize $200 million for ammunition replacement, $182 million for combat pay, and fund transfers once the Defense secretary has alerted Congress. (H.R. 4547, 07/24/02, Passed 413-3)

• Voted YES on legislation that would provide approximately $28.9 billion in supplemental appropriations for fiscal 2002. The agreement would include $14.5 billion for the Defense Department, $6.7 billion for homeland security programs and $5.5 billion for post-Sept. 11 recovery efforts in New York (H.R. 4775, 7/23/2002, Passed 397-32).

• Voted YES on passage of the bill that would establish a program in which commercial pilots would be deputized as federal law enforcement officers and would be allowed to carry guns aboard airlines (H.R. 4635, 7/10/2002, Passed 310-113).

• Voted NO on Tierney amendment to Fiscal 2003 Defense Appropriations that would cut $121.8 million for construction of silos at Fort Greeley, Alaska (Amendment to H.R. 5010, 6/27/2002, Rejected 112-314).

• Voted YES on passage of the Homeland Security Information Act to require federal agencies to develop within six months procedures for sharing both classified and non-classified information on homeland security threats with law enforcement and other state and local officials (H.R. 4598, 6/26/2002, Passed 422-2).

• Voted YES on the $383 billion Defense Authorization bill for Fiscal Year 2003, which included the President’s request of $7.8 billion for missile defense systems and $7.3 billion for counter-terrorism programs (H.R. 4546, 5/10/2002, Passed 359-58).

• Voted NO on an amendment that would have prohibited any funding for space-based national missile defense programs (Amendment to H.R. 4546, 05/09/2002, Rejected 159-253).

• Voted YES on Fiscal 2002 Defense Authorization Conference Report, which authorized $343.2 billion for defense programs (S. 1438, 12/13/2001, Passed 382-40).

• Voted YES on Anti-Terrorism Authority Legislation, which was designed to expand law enforcement's power to investigate suspected terrorists (H.R. 2975, Passed 337-79, 10/12/2001).

• Hosted the first homeland security summit in the State of Tennessee. (Memphis Commercial Appeal, 05/07/05).

• Ford seeks to make Tennessee a homeland security role model for the entire nation. “Frustrated by what he perceives as a lack of focus in Washington on the issue of Homeland Security, Ford has been pushing hard for Tennessee to develop a comprehensive model he would be able to promote on a national stage. In May, Ford hosted a first-of-its-kind meeting on Homeland Security in the FedEx Center auditorium on the University of Memphis campus. Over 200 men and women representing law enforcement, the medical community, city and county governments and fire departments across Tennessee attended” (Dyersburg State Gazette, 07/08/05).

• Appointed by U.S. Joint Forces Command to serve on the Transformation Advisory Group: This group of political, military and academic leaders are working with the Pentagon to transform the armed forces into a more flexible and agile fighting force.

• Led the fight to bring $10.07 million in homeland security funding to Memphis. The funding is part of $725 million that Congress approved for the Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) for fiscal year 2004.

• Helped secure $6.07 million for Memphis in funding from the Department of Homeland Security to protect against terrorist threats.

• Introduced the Homeland Security Strategy Act. This bill creates a comprehensive four-year review for national security similar to the Defense Department’s review. This plan would put federal, state, local and private-sector leaders in the homeland security fight together to develop a comprehensive strategy and enable national security leaders to methodically assess priorities, assets and resources every four years to ensure the nation is best able to prevent and respond to terrorist attack (H.R. 1383, introduced 3/17/2005).

• Co-sponsored the Call to Service Act, this piece of legislation would link the Corporation for National and Community Service with the newly created Office of Homeland Defense to expand AmeriCorps to include new homeland security and safety positions.

• Co-sponsored the Intelligence Transformation Act, a bill that creates a Director of National Intelligence who will have full budgetary authority over all intelligence agencies. The bill also creates the position of Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence, who will also serve as the Deputy Director of National Intelligence.

• Introduced H.R. 922, a bill to improve treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder for veterans of service in Afghanistan and Iraq and the war on terrorism (introduced 2/17/2005).

CORKER’S 9-1-1 FAILURES

• Corker Called Public Safety The “Single Most Important Responsibility of Government.” During the mayoral campaign, Corker said, “Public safety is the single most important responsibility of government.” [Chattanooga Times Free Press, 2/25/01]

• Corker Let Chattanooga Down With 911 Debacle, 31,000 Calls Went Unanswered. Shortly after the 2001 mayoral campaign, Corker made improving the city’s disastrous 911 system, and reducing its dropped call, rate a goal. Instead, Corker never allocated additional funds to hire 911 staff and fix the problem. As a result, unanswered calls rose from 8.8% in 2001 to nearly 14.9% in 2004 – an increase of 70%. By 2005, the problem was so bad almost 31,000 calls, or 16.9 percent, of all 911 calls made within city limits went unanswered – an increase of 92% from 2001. [Chattanooga Times Free Press, 3/30/06, 4/1/06; AP, 3/31/06]

• Situation Only Deteriorated Under Corker. “According to a review of 911 call data by the Chattanooga Times Free Press, the rate of unanswered calls rose from 8.8 percent of all 911 calls in 2001, the first year Mr. Corker was mayor, to 14.9 percent in 2004, his last full year as mayor.” [Chattanooga Times Free Press, 9/8/06]

• Former Chattanooga Police Chief Linked 911 Problems To Corker. Earlier this year, former Chattanooga police chief Jimmy Dotson noted that he had repeatedly requested more communications officers from the Corker administration, only to be rebuffed. “I asked for communications officers in every budget, especially under the Corker administration, and each time it was denied,” Dotson said. “(We) spent many, many, many hours battling the Corker administration asking for communications officers.” [AP, 3/30/06; Chattanooga Times Free Press, 3/30/06]

• Independent Report Confirms Corker’s Failures To Blame. Corker’s failure of leadership was confirmed last week by the Hamilton County 9-1-1 Board's release of an independent study that concluded that, for three straight years, Corker rejected police request for 16 additional personnel and that this “inadequate staffing” led to “inadequate 9-1-1 answer times and the inability to comply with NFPA standards” for being able to quickly dispatch emergency calls. [Maximus Consulting, 8/23/06]

• Corker Forced Cuts In 911 Service, Despite Warning That “Service To Citizens Will Suffer.” According to a November 2004 report by Lt. Tara Pedigo, who has since retired from the Police Department, she was ordered to cut overtime and minimum shift manpower for the 9-1-1 response center. Pedigo warned that manpower per shift would be reduced from 13 to 9 or 10 employees per shift. “I expressed my concerns that the abandoned call rate will undoubtedly increase, service to citizens will suffer, and officer safety could be jeopardized,” Pedigo said. [Chattanooga Times Free Press, 7/27/06 and 8/25/06; Pedigo Email, 11/30/04]

• Corker Cut Overtime by 90%. Corker cut police communications overtime 90% in December of 2004. [Chattanooga Times Free Press, 9/8/06]