Washington,
Sep 9, 2005 -
Congressman Christopher Shays (R-CT), Chairman of the Subcommittee on National Security, Emerging Threats, and International Relations today announced the Subcommittee will convene an oversight hearing to identify steps the Department of State and Homeland Security have made since 9/11 to address gaps and vulnerabilities in the visa process.
The hearing, entitled, “Combating Terrorism: Visas Still Vulnerable,” will take place on Tuesday, September 13, 2005 at 10:00 a.m. in room 2154 Rayburn House Office Building.
At the hearing, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) will issue a new report entitled, “Border Security: Strengthened Visa Process Would Benefit from Improvements in Staffing and Information Sharing.” Other witnesses will include representatives from the Department of State Office of Inspector General and the Departments of State and Homeland Security.
Witness List
Panel I
Mr. Jess T. Ford
Director, International Affairs and Trade Division
U.S. General Accounting Office
Ambassador John E. Lange
Deputy Inspector General
U.S. Department of State
Mr. Tony Edson
Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Visa Services
Bureau of Consular Affairs
U.S. Department of State
Ms. Elaine Dezenski
Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy
Border and Transportation Security
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Panel II
The Honorable Clark Kent Ervin
Director, Homeland Security Initiative
Aspen Institute
Dr. James J. Carafano
Senior Fellow
The Heritage Foundation
Ms. Susan Ginsberg
Former Senior Counsel
National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States
(“9/11 Commission”)
Mr. John Daniel Morris
Retired Consul General
U.S. Mission to Beijing, China
