The creation of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) one year ago represented the largest government reorganization in 50 years. There is no doubt that it was important to consolidate and reorganize departments and agencies responsible for protecting our homeland security. But how successful have we been?

There is no question that we are far safer than we were before Sept. 11, 2001, but we also need to ask ourselves whether we are as safe as we need to be in light of the terrorist threat that we face. I believe the answer to that question is: We need to do more. The recent train bombings in Madrid, Spain frighteningly highlighted the threat we still face and the need to significantly improve passenger and cargo rail security along with other modes of transportation.

I am a member of the House Homeland Security Committee and the Democratic members of the Committee recently issued a 136-page report detailing additional measures that need to be taken to improve homeland security. The report highlights that in many critical areas – our borders, our ports, bio-terrorism preparedness, chemical plant security, resources for first responders – significant security gaps remain.

The report states: "Our nation remains vulnerable to potentially catastrophic attacks involving nuclear, biological, chemical and radiological weapons. Pathways to the United States by land, sea, and air are insecure. Our critical infrastructures have few defenses and our communities are not as prepared as they need to be to respond to a terrorist attack."

Of particular concern to our region is the Port of Baltimore and BWI Airport. As the report points out, only a small percentage of the seven million cargo containers that arrive at U.S. ports and move through our communities by truck and rail are inspected or mechanically screened. The U.S. Coast Guard estimates that American ports need to spend $5.4 billion over 10 years to meet security needs.

The report, titled "America At Risk: Closing the Security Gap," recommends additional federal assistance to meet the short-term security needs at U.S. ports. Improving port security is dependent on increasing inspections of containers entering U.S. ports. The report strongly recommends deploying sufficient numbers of non-intrusive inspection technologies to screen every cargo container entering our ports.

We also need to institute airport security measures that make sense. We have put tremendous money into improving the screening of passengers, yet most commercial cargo goes on board airplanes without any inspections. We also should consider tightening security around airports so we can better ensure that planes take off and land safely.

Finally, we need to provide our first responders with the communications equipment they need to handle any emergency situation. It is essential that all communities receive appropriate communications equipment so that first responders and federal, state, and local officials can communicate in the event of a terrorist attack. In addition, the DHS needs to establish a set of essential capabilities for all communities so we can begin to assess whether they have the appropriate resources to deal with a terrorist threat.

As the DHS enters its second year, it is time to take a close look at where we are and what still needs to be done. We have a free and open society and making our nation less vulnerable to a terrorist attack is a difficult undertaking. But more needs to be done. We need to work in a concerted way to make sure every port is secure, every airlines is safe and our communities have the resources they need.